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Local Government
Citizen Advisory Boards
Examples, options, and model practices
for the effective and efficient use of
advisory boards by local governments
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Copyright © 2008 by the Municipal Research and Services
Center of Washington. All rights reserved. Except as
permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this
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Municipal Research and Services Center
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August 2008
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Contents
The Role of Citizen Advisory Boards in Local Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Benefits of Using Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Types of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Boards and Commissions Designated by Statute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Administrative Boards and Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Use of the Terms Board, Commission, and Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classification of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
3
4
4
Creating Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Is a Volunteer Advisory Board Member a Public Officer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Who Makes the Appointments to Citizen Advisory Bodies? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Methods Used to Create an Advisory Body: Resolution, Ordinance, and Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number and Size of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
7
8
9
Policies and Procedures for Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Purpose and Function of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Staffing of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Membership Criteria – Qualifications for Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Citizenship and Residency Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Representation of Specialized Knowledge and Interest Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Demographic Representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prohibition of City and County Employees and Others Serving on Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . .
Youth Involvement on Citizen Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies on the Recruitment of Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why Citizens Volunteer for Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expectations for Advisory Board Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Procedures for Recruiting New Board Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Invitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies on the Nomination and Selection Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies on the Method of Appointment and Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies on Temporary Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies Regarding Service on More Than One Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Policies on Terms of Office and Reappointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
12
13
13
14
16
16
17
18
18
18
20
21
21
22
25
25
26
26
Getting the Board Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure for Conducting Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal Organization of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Providing a Work Plan for Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Attendance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting Out Reporting Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provisions for Review and Evaluation of Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
28
29
29
30
31
32
Requirements for Open Meetings, Minutes, and Other Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Open Public Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Public Records Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Application of Appearance of Fairness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Application of Ethics Codes to Advisory Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Compensation of Advisory Board Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Statutorily Authorized, Mandatory and Discretionary Boards and Commissions . . . . . 1
List of City and Town Statutorily Mandated and Boards and Commissions under Certain Conditions
List of City and Town Optional Boards and Commissions
List of County Statutorily Mandated and Boards and Commissions under Certain Conditions
List of County Optional Boards and Commissions
List of Special District Optional and Mandatory Boards and Commissions
Appendix 2 – Sample Application forms for Citizen Volunteer Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Snohomish
Tacoma
Tukwila
Appendix 3 – Sample Policies and Procedures for Boards and Commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2 – Advisory Bodies, March 2007
Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Article 4, Revised March 4, 2002
Puyallup City Council Rules of Procedure, Amended August 2003
Vancouver Policy and Procedure No. 100-06 – City Council Advisory Committees, April 9, 2007
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Preface
The primary focus of this publication is on local government citizen advisory boards, but the publication
also includes a brief discussion of statutory boards that are administrative in nature. For simplification,
the use of the term advisory board in this publication generally includes boards, commissions,
committees, and task forces.
There is no “one best way” to organize and administer local advisory boards. The procedural organization
for advisory boards in larger jurisdictions may be more comprehensive and complex than is needed in
smaller ones. To avoid conflict and confusion, MRSC recommends consistency in defining the roles and
functions of various advisory bodies within the same governing jurisdiction.
There are many ways to incorporate advisory boards into the governance process. The purpose of this
publication is to offer examples, options, and model practices for the effective and efficient use of
advisory boards by local governments. This publication represents the collective work of many
Washington local governments. Examples in this publication come from Washington local government
codes, policies, and Web text. Sample text and illustrations were current at the time this publication was
being prepared, but may have been subsequently changed.
Special acknowledgement is given to Lynne De Merritt, Senior Research Consultant for preparing this
publication and Jim Doherty, Legal Consultant for legal review and editing. Thanks are also due to Lynn
Nordby and Carol Tobin, Public Policy Consultants, for policy review, Connie Elliot for editing
assistance, and to Holly Stewart, Desktop Publishing Specialist, for designing the publication.
Richard Yukubousky
Executive Director
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The Role of Citizen Advisory Boards
in Local Government
Volunteer citizen advisory boards are an integral part of American local government. The creation of
advisory boards is a way for local governments to engage citizens in the democratic process. Their
primary purpose is to provide judicious advice from a citizen perspective. The activities of an advisory
board may include the study of critical issues, taking public testimony, performing independent research,
and reviewing staff reports and recommendations. These prepare the advisory body to discuss, analyze,
formulate, and forward well-developed, thoughtful recommendations to the legislative body.1
Advisory bodies help plan the future of their communities. Citizen participation is considered a right and
a responsibility by many civic-minded leaders throughout the country. This philosophy is reflected in
many policy statements relating to the use of advisory boards. An example is the City of Spokane’s
policy:
It is the policy of the city to utilize citizen boards, commissions, committees and other groups to
aid the process of effective, responsible and efficient government by: marshalling and channeling
the resources of expertise and insight available in the community to complement the judgment of
the council and professional staff; providing more available forums for dialog and public
hearings; providing mechanisms appropriate for the ascertainment of facts and the discernment of
views; and broadening the base of citizen participation in the processes of self-government.2
Benefits of Using Advisory Boards
Ideally, advisory boards bring together citizen views that might not otherwise be heard. They are made up
of persons of wide-ranging interests and expertise who want to participate in public service, but who may
not wish to hold a public office. Participation on advisory boards may serve as a training ground or
stepping stone for qualified persons who are interested in seeking public office. More specifically
advisory bodies can:
•
•
•
•
provide assistance to the legislative body when formulating public policy and help transform
policy decisions into action
address issues of interest or conduct background work on technical or politically sensitive issues
serve as a way to build public consensus on controversial issues before elected officials make a
decision
give the community a forum for discussion in greater depth than is possible before a legislative
body
1
Adapted from Olympia’s Advisory Committee Roles & Expectations, City of Olympia Web:
http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/citygovernment/advisory/Roles_Expectations.htm, last updated, 6-19-2006.
2
Spokane Municipal Code, Section 4.01.010 – Policy on Boards, Commissions and Other Administrative Agencies.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 1
•
•
•
provide a more thorough review of complex and significant matters than a part-time council may
be able to give
provide expertise without expending budget money, and
assist in the resolution of conflicts3
3
“Citizen Advisory Boards and Committees,” Chapter 3 in Elected Officials Handbooks: Handbook 2 Building a
Policy-Making Team, 4th edition, (Washington, DC: International City/County Management Association, 1994).
For additional discussion, see “Cooperative Achievement: Elected Officials and Advisory Boards Work Together to Strengthen
Their Cities,” by Marilyn Crotty, Quality Cities, Florida League of Cities, March/April 2004.
2 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
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Types of Advisory Boards
Boards and Commissions Designated by Statute
Washington State statutes designate approximately 32 local government boards for specific purposes.
Some are required boards, while others are discretionary. Many of the boards designated by statute have
administrative decision-making powers. An example is the local building code board of appeals required
by the International Building Code.4 Salary commissions, authorized for cities, towns and counties,5 are
an example of a discretionary board authorized by statute; it is left up to the discretion of each local
governing body whether to create one. See Appendix 1 for a list of statutorily authorized, mandatory and
discretionary boards and commissions.
Administrative Boards and Advisory Boards
Some boards have administrative functions, while others act strictly in an advisory capacity.
Administrative boards generally have managerial, supervisory, or investigative powers. They may act on
behalf of the governing body by exercising actual or de facto decision-making power. Examples of
boards that generally have administrative powers are library boards of trustees, airport boards, utility
boards, various boards of appeals, and civil service commissions. Boards created only to advise,
recommend policy, or provide other input to the legislative body are considered strictly advisory boards.
Definitions of an advisory board differ among jurisdictions. How it is defined is strictly a local decision,
but one that may need some care because of local code terminology defining who is covered by ethics
codes or indemnification policies. These two examples illustrate the differences in practice. The City of
Port Townsend includes task forces in its definition of advisory body and the City of Lynnwood excludes
them.
Port Townsend – An advisory board is any committee or commission created by the city council to
give advice on subjects and perform such other functions as prescribed by the city council. Advisory
board also includes task forces, informal committees, or working groups formed by city council
resolution for short periods of time or for specific tasks. (City of Port Townsend Council Rules of
Procedure, Section 4.2.1, updated March 2002)
Lynnwood – An advisory body means any board or commission, and named board or commission in
the ordinance or resolution creating the same, previously, or hereafter, created by the city council to
give advice on subjects and perform such other functions as prescribed by the city council. Advisory
body does not mean task forces, informal committees, or working groups appointed by the mayor or
created by the city council for short periods of time or for specific tasks. (Lynnwood Municipal
Code, Section 2.24.010 – Definitions)
4
Adopted by the state Building Code Council pursuant to RCW 19.27.031.
5
For cities and towns, see RCW 35.21.015; for counties, see RCW 36.17.024.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 3
Use of the Terms Board, Commission, and Committee
There is little uniformity in the use or meaning of the terms commission, committee, and board in the
statutes or when used by Washington local governments. The terms board, commission, and committee
are all used in the statutes to designate certain local government bodies. However, the terms do not
distinguish differences in function; whether they are administrative or advisory, mandatory or
discretionary.
Several cities refer to all their council created bodies as committees. Their committee hierarchy is:
standing committees of the council, special committees, and advisory committees. Their advisory
committees include boards, commissions, committees and task forces.
Unless a naming system is used that defines the powers associated with the names, the label given to an
advisory or administrative body has little meaning, and may be confusing to the public. Clarification of
what is meant by an advisory body might be helpful. A study done for the City of Lake Forest Park in
2007 recommended that the city distinguish between commissions established pursuant to state statute
and other discretionary advisory bodies also called commissions in Lake Forest Park’s organizational
scheme.6
Classification of Advisory Boards
In practice, only a few jurisdictions employ a uniform classification for assigning names to advisory
bodies. As noted in the definitions above, an advisory body can be a board, commission, committee, or
task force. Dictionary definitions are not helpful in sorting out the differences. Webster defines a board
as a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers. A commission
is defined as a group of persons directed to perform some duty or a government agency having
administrative, legislative, or judicial powers. A committee is defined as a body of persons delegated to
consider, investigate, take action on, or report on some matter. Washington local governments have park
commissions, boards of park commissioners, parks and recreation advisory commissions, park boards,
park advisory boards, and parks and recreation advisory boards. Even though the names differ, the
responsibilities assigned to the bodies are very similar.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, it may be desirable for a local government to develop
some uniform classifications to avoid possible confusion between administrative and advisory boards, and
define what is meant by a board, committee, and a commission. Once they are clearly defined by the
jurisdiction, care should be taken to remain consistent.
Definitions developed by the cities of Tacoma and Vancouver serve as examples. These cities are among
the few that have defined meanings for the terms board, commission, committee, and taskforce.
The City of Tacoma has classified and defined citizen groups in its orientation handbook for citizen
boards7 as follows:
Committee – City committees are usually formed by resolution. A committee is defined as “a body of
persons delegated to consider, investigate, take action on or report on some matter.” A committee's
recommendations are forwarded to the city council or any other appropriate body for action or
6
Lake Forest Park Volunteer Advisory System Group Report, submitted by Strategic Learning Resources, Inc.
(Langley, WA: Strategic Learning Resources, Inc., December 2007)
7
Types of Citizen Groups, City of Tacoma Orientation Handbook for Citizen Committees, Boards, Commissions, and
Public Development Authorities (Tacoma, WA: January 2008), 10.
4 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
review. The council may also establish specialized committees for specific purposes or for limited
duration. Specialized committees include the Sister City committees, the citizen recognition
committee, and any other committees the city council may designate.
Board – City boards are established pursuant to city charter or ordinance. A board is defined as “a
group of persons having managerial, supervisory or investigative powers.” Some boards related to
city affairs include the public utility board, the library board of trustees, and the board of building
appeals.
Commission – Generally, city commissions are established by city charter or ordinance or resolution.
A commission is defined as “a group of persons directed to perform some duty.” Certain city
commissions may act in a quasi-judicial capacity. Some commissions established by the city include
the planning commission, the arts commission, the landmarks preservation commission, and the
human rights commission.
Task Force – A city task force is a body appointed by the city council to study or work on a particular
subject or problem. The formal definition indicates that a task force is “a temporary grouping under
one leader for the purpose of accomplishing a definite objective.” Often a task force will cease to
exist upon completion of its charge as given by the council.
The City of Vancouver provides definitions in its policies and procedures for advisory committees.8
Board – A semi-autonomous body established pursuant to federal or state statute or authority or city
ordinance. Actions of a board are usually appealable to designated courts of law.
Commission – A body established by city ordinance to study and recommend action to the city
council. Authority of commissions is delegated from council or in conjunction with the county
commissioners. With the exception of the civil service commission, some actions of commissioners
are appealed directly to city council.
Committee – A body appointed by council with a specified task or function. Committee action
ordinarily will be subjected to review and/or appeal to city council or to a commission established by
council.
Ad hoc Task Force – A body appointed by council to study or work on a particular subject or
problem. A task force will cease to exist upon completion of its charge as given by the council.
8
Section 5.0 – Definitions, City of Vancouver City Council Advisory Committees, Policies and Procedures No. 10006, updated 4-9-07.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 5
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Creating Advisory Boards
While most advisory boards are created to advise the legislative body, boards in larger cities and counties
may be created to advise the chief executive, a department, or a subcommittee of a permanent board or
commission. Local governments have created many different kinds of advisory boards. A board should
be established when there is a need. When the need is no longer present, the board should be abolished,
unless it is required by statute.
Advisory bodies may be created as permanent or standing advisory bodies, or as temporary bodies. The
meaning of permanent refers to those bodies that are created by ordinance or resolution. The method for
creating them, by ordinance, resolution, or motion, tends to vary from one jurisdiction to another. Some
local governments will codify all the provisions related to permanent boards in the city or county code,
while others may only codify those that are designated by state statute. A few do not codify any boards or
commissions, though they do have codes.
A formal procedure for creating boards, accompanied by a set of operating procedures for board
members, will provide the framework for efficient operation. Advisory boards may carry out their
purposes through a variety of activities. The enabling provisions should suggest procedures for carrying
out that purpose.
Is a Volunteer Advisory Board Member a Public Officer?
Most members of permanent boards and commissions are legally treated as public officers. Whether an
appointee to a board or commission is a public officer depends on several factors, including whether the
board was authorized by the state statutes. For a discussion of those factors and the relevant court
decision, see page 16 in the 2005 edition of the Municipal Research and Services Center’s publication
Knowing the Territory. Since the criteria can be confusing, consult with your legal counsel if it is not
clear.9 It may be prudent to consider all citizens appointed to formally established boards and
commissions as public officers.
Some jurisdictions include all advisory board, commission, and committee members in the definition of
public officers, others exclude some types of boards, and some do not define the status of advisory body
members at all. Definitions for public officers may be located in various places including: comprehensive
provisions covering boards and commissions; in individual board provisions; in ethics codes; in
indemnification provisions; and occasionally in provisions relating to personnel.
Because of their temporary nature, members of ad hoc citizen advisory bodies, such as task forces, may
be omitted from the definition of public officer. Whether they are included depends on the powers and
tasks assigned. An ad hoc body may be given investigative tasks and/or hold public meetings to receive
input on the topic being considered. To avoid conflict, some legislative bodies have defined all members
of any advisory body to be public officers. The following examples show the wide range of definitions
for officials and public officers:
9
Knowing the Territory, Report No. 47 (Seattle: Municipal Research and Services Center, 2005).
6 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Bothell defines official in the indemnity provisions as any person who is serving or has served as an
elected city official, and any person who is serving or has served as an appointed member of any city
board, commission, committee or other appointed position with the city. (Bothell Municipal Code,
Section 2.25.005 – Indemnification)
Clallam County broadly defines public official as any individual who is responsible for taking or
recommending official county action. (Clallam County Code, Section 3.01.020 – Definitions –
Ethics.)
Lynnwood defines city official, officer, or employee as every individual elected or appointed to an
office or position of employment, whether such individual is paid or unpaid. (Lynnwood Municipal
Code, Section 2.94.020 – Definitions – Ethics)
Renton’s definition of public official includes all of the elected city officials, together with all
appointed officers, including their deputies and assistants of such an officer who determine, or are
authorized to determine policy-making decisions within their respective department or office,
including appointive members of all municipal boards, commissions and agencies and whose
appointment has been made by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. (Renton Municipal
Code, Section 1-6-2 – Ethics)
Richland defines a public official as all elected city officials including the mayor and members of the
city council, together with appointive members of city boards, commissions and committees.
(Richland Municipal Code, Section 2.26.020 – Ethics)
Seattle defines a city officer or employee as every individual elected or appointed to an office or
position of employment in any city agency, whether such individual is paid or unpaid. City agency
means every department, office, board, commission, or committee of the city, or any subdivision
thereof, but excludes public corporations and ad hoc advisory committees. (Seattle Municipal Code,
Section 4.16.030 (D)-(E) – Ethics)
Who Makes the Appointments to Citizen Advisory Bodies?
In general, advisory bodies are created by the legislative body. Typically, the statutes provide that the
council or commission may, by ordinance, establish advisory boards with such functions and number of
members as it may determine. For most mayor-council cities and towns, the statutes provide the mayor
with the authority to appoint and remove all non-elected officers of the jurisdiction. In optional
municipal code cities, the council may, in some circumstances, require confirmation of mayoral
appointments to various boards (see details below). In charter cities, the mayor may appoint individuals
to various boards or committees, subject to council confirmation. In the charter counties, the appointment
procedures differ somewhat from county to county.
In some jurisdictions, such as the City of Tacoma, the charter grants broad authority to the council
regarding both appointment and removal of board and commission members. The relevant statutes, code
provisions, and charter provisions, if there is a charter, should be checked to identify who has the
authority to appoint and remove members of boards and commissions for your jurisdiction.
References to some of the relevant statutes follow:
Council-Manager Code Cities – RCW 35A.13.080 states that the council may provide for the
appointment by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, of a city planning commission and
other advisory citizens’ committees, commissions, and boards advisory to the city council.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 7
Mayor-Council Code Cities – RCW 35A.12.090 provides that the mayor shall have the power of
appointment and removal of all appointive officers and employees. Confirmation of mayoral
appointments by the city council may be required by ordinance for positions where qualifications for the
office have not been established. The members of most appointive boards and commissions of the city,
such as the planning commission and the civil service commission, are considered to be officers of the
city; therefore, the mayor has specific authority in RCW 35A.12.090 to make these appointments. The
council can appoint ad hoc task forces with a specific task whose sole duty is to study a problem and
report back to the council. When that specific task is completed, the task force is dissolved.
Council-Manager Cities – RCW 35.18.060 states that the council may provide for the appointment by
the mayor, subject to confirmation by the council, of the city planning commission and other advisory
citizens' committees, commissions, and boards advisory to the city council.
Mayor-Council Second Class Cities – RCW 35.23.021 provides that the mayor may appoint, and at his
pleasure, remove all appointive officers.
Counties – In counties operating with a board of county commissioners, citizen advisory committees are
associated with departments that are the responsibility of the county commissioners. The commissioners
create the boards and appoint the members. In some charter counties, the executive may recommend
appointments, but the council reviews and makes the appointment; in others the executive makes the
appointment and the council confirms the appointment.
More detailed information on the appointment process appears in the sections containing policies on
nominations and appointments.
Methods Used to Create an Advisory Body: Resolution, Ordinance, and
Motion
State statutes authorize a number of advisory bodies for local government, but the statutes generally do
not specify how the body is to be created. There are exceptions. The board of adjustment in a code city,
the board of adjustment in a county,10 and a planning commission in a code city11 are required to be
created by ordinance. A local emergency management organization12 and a county salary commission13
may be created by ordinance or resolution.
No uniform methodology has been adopted among Washington local governments for the creation of
boards and commissions. Some legislative bodies create their permanent or standing advisory bodies by
ordinance, others do it by resolution or a motion of the council
Rules of procedure adopted by legislative bodies sometimes specify whether to use a motion, resolution,
or ordinance. For example, the City of Federal Way’s rules of procedure provide that it is at the
discretion of the council whether the advisory bodies are established by ordinance. The charters of the
10
RCW 35A.63.110, RCW 36.70.200.
11
RCW 35A.63.020.
12
WAC 118-30-050.
13
RCW 36.17.024.
8 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
cities of Bellingham and Everett provide that the council may establish advisory boards by ordinance,
while the City of Olympia’s code directs that all citizen member committees are to be established by
ordinance.14
More specific direction is provided in the following examples:
Clallam County provides that boards, commissions, and committees are created under the authority
of county ordinances or by resolution of the board of commissioners. (Clallam County Administrative
Policy 902.1, Revised 2-24-04)
Olympia provides that all citizen-member committees appointed by the city council shall be
established by ordinance of the city. (Olympia Municipal Code, Section 02.100.020 – Committees
Established)
Puyallup provides that no committee, board or commission shall have official or legal status until
such committee or board or commission has first been approved by resolution or ordinance of the city
council. (Puyallup Council Rules of Procedure, Section 8.2, Revised 8-18-03 )
Snohomish provides that all committees (meaning boards, commissions, and committees) shall be
created by ordinance. (Snohomish Municipal Code, Chapter 2.06)
Port Townsend provides that all standing committees shall be established or provided by council
resolution. All other council committees, boards, liaisons, blue ribbon work groups, and citizen’s
taskforce groups and rules or operating procedures shall be established by council directive. (Port
Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Section 4.1 (a)-(b), Revised 3-04-02)
If the body is of a permanent nature, consideration should be given to using an ordinance or resolution.
Codifying the enabling legislation provides easy reference to permanent advisory boards. For general
guidelines on whether to use a resolution, ordinance, or motion, see Municipal Research and Services
Center’s publication, Local Ordinances for Washington Cities and Counties, Report No. 50, May 2000.
Number and Size of Advisory Boards
There is no optimum number of advisory boards for a community. Some jurisdictions have many boards,
others have only a few. The larger the community, the greater the need to involve more community
members in the decision making process. While it is desirable to foster civic participation, the boards
created must be manageable, be adequately staffed, and serve a useful purpose.
In the popular Elected Officials Little Handbook, Len Wood advises that councils should resist
establishing a commission for every new problem. “Is the commission being formed to placate a group,
or is there a real need that cannot be addressed in another manner?” Woods noted that the need for
representation should be balanced with the inefficiencies of working with large groups. “What is the
fewest number of members the commission can get by with and still achieve the mission?”15
14
Bellingham City Charter, Article 7.01 – The council may, by ordinance, establish advisory boards with such
functions and number of members as it may determine. Everett City Charter, Section 5.02 – The council may, by ordinance,
establish or dissolve advisory boards, with such advisory functions and number of members as it may determine.
15
Len Wood, Elected Official’s Little Handbook: A Portable Guide for Local Government Legislators (Rancho Palos
Verdes, CA: the Training Shoppe, 1994), 32-39.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 9
The number of board members needed depends on the duties, responsibilities, and membership
requirements. A task force or study commission may require more members than a standing policy
advisory group. There should be a sufficient number of persons to fulfill the charge of the board and
provide adequate representation of community interests.
For certain boards and commissions designated by statute, the number of members, the appointing
authority, and the membership criteria is provided. Examples include: LEOFF disability boards,
volunteer fire fighter and reserve officers boards of trustees, county boards of equalization, lodging tax
advisory commissions, off street parking commissions, and veterans advisory boards.
10 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
Policies and Procedures for
Advisory Boards
Policies and procedures provide guidelines for the appointing authority and operating procedures for the
advisory boards. Successful use of advisory bodies requires that they be given context within the
jurisdiction’s operating structure.
Jurisdictions should adopt policies and procedures for their advisory boards and require that essential
basic issues be covered in the document that creates each board. Those basics include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the purpose of the board with specific goals to provide direction
membership qualifications
number of members and appointment procedure
length of appointment and method for removal or replacement
internal organization
procedures for the conduct of meetings and meeting schedules
administrative assistance from staff
reporting requirements
evaluation process
Additional topics that might be included in a procedures manual or handbook are: procedures for
recruiting board members, selection process and selection criteria, staff liaisons, filling vacancies, record
keeping requirements, ethics, compliance with the open public meetings act, and compliance with the
appearance of fairness statutes. For advisory bodies authorized by state statute, check to see if the statues
establish specific requirements for the body, such as number of members, qualifications for membership,
and appointment procedures.
The documents containing local government policies and procedures for advisory boards vary. Whether
they are codified, part of council or commission rules of procedure, contained in handbooks or manuals,
or in a formal policies and procedures manual, they need to be made readily available to all. Some
jurisdictions post copies on the Web along with other advisory board information. See Appendix 3 for
examples of advisory board rules of procedure and policies
Purpose and Function of Advisory Boards
Ideally, every board, commission, or committee should have a specific statement of purpose and function,
as outlined in these examples:
Edgewood – Every advisory body, when it is formed, will have a specific statement of purpose and
function, which will be re-examined periodically by the council to determine its effectiveness. This
statement of purpose is made available to all citizen members when they are appointed. (Edgewood
Council Rules of Procedure, Section 20.5, October 2006)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 11
Port Townsend – Each advisory board, when it is formed, will have a specific statement of purpose
and function, which will be re-examined periodically by the city council to determine its
effectiveness. This statement of purpose, as well as other information regarding duties and
responsibilities, will be made available to all members when appointed. The city council may
determine any specific guidelines or tasks to be referred to the advisory board by motion or
resolution. Each advisory board shall develop a scope of work, within the jurisdiction and area of
responsibility consistent with the city council resolution forming the board. (Port Townsend Rules of
Procedure Section 4.2.3, Revised 03-04-02)
Snohomish County – Special purpose bodies known as ad hoc or advisory committees are subject to
the following: (1) Purpose and length. At the time of their creation, ad hoc or advisory committees
shall be charged by the executive and/or council with a written mandate including specific purpose(s)
and desired product(s). In addition, timing provisions including an automatic date of disbanding, shall
be set by the creating authority. Such dates may be altered by council resolution. (Snohomish County
Code, Section 2.03.090 – Ad Hoc or Advisory Committees)
Staffing of Advisory Boards
Prior to the formation of a new board or commission, consideration should be given to the staff who will
be assigned to the board, the resources that will be needed, and the fiscal impacts. Some examples of
staffing provisions follow:
Richland – Whenever possible, the administrative officer of the department or offices most closely
connected with the activity of a board, commission or committee shall serve as secretary of that
board, commission or committee. (Richland Municipal Code, Section 2.04.110 – Boards,
Commissions and Committees)
Olympia – The city manager, or designee, shall appoint a primary staff liaison for each committee to
ensure that meeting notifications and recordkeeping occurs consistent with applicable state laws; to
provide professional guidance, issue analysis and recommendations; to assist the committee with
research, report preparation, and correspondence in keeping with the committee’s council-approved
work plan; and to perform other committee liaison duties as may be assigned by the city manager or
designee. (Olympia Municipal Code, Section 02.100.090 – Staff Liaison Support)
In addition to the code provision, Olympia provides guidance to staff liaisons in Advisory Committee
Roles & Expectations.16 Olympia’s staff liaisons are responsible for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ensuring that meeting notifications and recordkeeping occurs consistent with applicable state laws
serving as a communication link between the committee, city administration, departments, and
the city council, as appropriate
providing professional guidance, issue analysis, and recommendations
assisting the committee with research, report preparation, and correspondence in keeping with the
committee’s council-approved work plan and depending on their work load and time availability
making sure the intent of the advisory committee is not lost after a decision, and that it is
conveyed to the city council in a timely manner
assisting the advisory committee in staying on track and focused
presenting advisory committee recommendations to the city council, if requested to do so by
either the committee or the city council
maintaining a positive working relationship with the chair and committee members
16
Olympia’s Advisory Committee Roles & Expectations, City of Olympia Web:
http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/citygovernment/advisory/Roles_Expectations.htm, last updated 6-19-06.
12 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Membership Criteria – Qualifications for Advisory Boards
Citizenship and Residency Requirements
State law requires citizenship for certain boards,17 and membership on some boards is restricted to
electors of the jurisdiction.18
Citizenship can be required for other advisory boards by local ordinance as a qualification for
membership, but few jurisdictions have done so. RCW 35.21.200 provides that any city or town may, by
ordinance of its legislative authority, determine whether there shall be any residential qualifications for
any or all of its appointive officials. Residency requirements for advisory bodies vary, but nearly all
jurisdictions have some kind of residency qualifications.
Most application forms for advisory boards and commissions ask whether the volunteer is a resident. If
residency is a requirement, the invitations and application forms should make that clear. Policies may
restrict membership to persons living within the city limits, or a resident of a city ward or a county
council or commission district. Residency may be defined to include persons residing within the urban
growth boundary, within the surrounding school district, or some other boundary such as a library capital
facilities district. Many cities open board membership to persons who work within the city. When
changing its residency requirements, the City of Bellingham noted in the preamble to the ordinance that it
may not always be possible to obtain an adequate number of qualified professionals to fill such boards
and commissions if members must meet the city residency requirements.19
The goals and purpose of the particular board also may define board membership qualifications. A few
examples have been included as illustrations:
Bellingham requires that unless the ordinance establishing the board or commission specifies
otherwise, every member shall be a citizen of the United States and an elector of the City of
Bellingham, a resident of the State of Washington for at least 3 years and of the City of Bellingham
for at least 2 years previous to his appointment as a member of any board or commission.
(Bellingham Municipal Code, Section 3.08.010)
Bothell’s residence requirements vary with the particular board. For example, the landmark
preservation board members must reside within city’s urban growth area boundary, with a majority of
the membership residing within the city limits; only the council member representative must reside
within the Bothell city limits for the lodging tax advisory committee; and all members of the
shorelines board must reside in the city. (Bothell Municipal Code, Title 2)
Lake Forest Park requires members of the planning and civil service commissions (the latter is state
law) to be residents. On other commissions, business owners or employees of businesses located in
Lake Forest Park may serve in one position. The economic development commission may have three
17
RCW 41.08.030 – Civil Service – U.S. citizen, resident for 3 years, and elector; RCW 41.12.030 – Civil Service for
City Police – U.S. citizen, resident for 3 years, and elector; RCW 35.14.020 – Community Municipal Corporations – qualified
elector; RCW 35.23.480 – Publicity Board – must be resident property owners and voters in the city; RCW 41.14.030 – Civil
Service for Sheriff's Office – U.S. citizen, resident county for 2 years, elector of the county of residence.
18
RCW 29.01.065 defines an elector as any person who possesses all of the qualifications to vote under Article VI of
the state Constitution. Article VI § 1 – Qualifications of Electors – All persons of the age of eighteen years or over who are
citizens of the United States and who have lived in the state, county, and precinct thirty days immediately preceding the election
at which they offer to vote.
19
Bellingham Ordinance No. 2006-05-049, passed 05-01-06.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 13
nonresidents who own or work for local businesses. (Lake Forest Park Municipal Code, Section
2.22.070 (F))
Port Townsend's general policy is that each person at the time of nomination, and while serving on
an advisory board, shall be a resident of and/or work in the city. The community oriented policing
advisory board members shall either be city residents or work, conduct volunteer activities, or attend
school within the city. (City of Port Townsend City Council Rules of Procedure, Section 4.24 (A),
Revised 3-4-02)
Renton provides that any member of a board or commission must be a citizen of the United States.
Such member shall be a citizen of the City of Renton unless state law or the authorizing ordinance
states otherwise or the commissioner is to represent a certain segment of society, i.e., a business
representative doing business with the city but not necessarily a citizen of Renton. The citizenship
condition may be waived by the council, upon request by the mayor. (Renton Municipal Code,
Section 2-18-1 – Citizenship)
Snohomish County council’s appointment guidelines state that the person must reside or work in
Snohomish County, or show evidence of special interest in Snohomish County. (Snohomish County
Code, Section 2.03.060 – Boards and Commissions – General Requirements)
Representation of Specialized Knowledge and Interest Groups
Membership criteria for some boards reflect the purpose of the body being created. Some boards require
that members have special knowledge or represent certain groups. Statutorily authorized boards,
commissions, and committees may have specific qualifications set out in the enabling legislation, as in the
two examples below:
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee – RCW 67.28.1817 requires the appointment of lodging tax
advisory committees in certain jurisdictions. At least two members must be representatives of
businesses required to collect the lodging tax, and two members must be involved in activities
authorized to be funded by revenue received from the tax; and that each group be represented by the
same number of committee members.
Veteran’s Advisory Board – RCW 73.08.035(2) directs that the county legislative authority solicit
representatives from either local branches of nationally recognized veterans' service organizations or
the veterans' community at large, or both, to serve on the board. No fewer than a majority of the
board members shall be members from nationally recognized veterans' service organizations and only
veterans are eligible to serve as board members.
County agricultural advisory boards serve as a good example for how local governments can tailor their
board membership requirements to meet their specific needs. San Juan County requires that at least 50
percent of the membership be farmers, while Snohomish County attempts to balance representation of the
two major river basins and requires that all members be engaged in commercial agricultural activities
within the county.
San Juan County Agricultural Resources Committee has no more than 15 members representing
(1) relevant agricultural expertise; (2) local produce farmers; (3) local livestock farmers; (4) local
farmers market representative (either one representative from each or one representing all markets);
(5) affected/related economic interests (such as retail food businesses – restaurants, grocers, etc.);
(6) San Juan County economic development council; (7) San Juan County Conservation District;
(8) San Juan County Land Bank, San Juan Preservation Trust, or other local land trusts; (9) Island
Grown Farmers Cooperative; (10) San Juan County granges (either one representative from each or
one representing all granges); (11) WSU Extension; (12) commercial forest landowner; (13) citizens
14 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
at large; (14) one representative from health and community services (nonvoting member). (San Juan
County Code, Section 2.24.020(B) – Purpose and Goals)
Snohomish County’s Agricultural Advisory Board has eleven members which includes one person
in the dairy, nursery, livestock, commodity crops, and agricultural direct marketing industries; a
representative of the diking, drainage and flood control districts located in the Snohomish River basin
and one from the Stillaguamish River basin; one person who is engaged in the equine industry; one
person recommended by the Snohomish County Farm Bureau; and one person each residing in the
Stillaguamish and Snohomish River basins. (Snohomish County Code, Section 2.06.020 – Board
Membership)
Arts commissions and historic preservation commissions tend to be very broad in their board member
representation. Typical language includes the phrase “have a demonstrated interest and competence in…”
The specific type of representation may vary.
Bellingham Municipal Arts Commission – 11 members – At least three shall be lay members, and
the others shall be selected so as to represent as many as possible of the following arts and
professions: Painting, sculpture, music, literature, architecture and landscape architecture, and one
member learned in the historic traditions of the city. The mayor shall solicit suggested nominations
for such appointments from architectural, art, musical, literary, educational, museum, and other
cultural organizations for the nonlay members. (Bellingham Municipal Code, Section 2.36.010 –
Established – Membership)
Kitsap County Arts Board – 9 members – Three from each of the three districts. Members shall be
broadly representative of all fields of the arts including architecture and design. They shall include
persons who are widely known for their professional competence and experience in the arts and
laypersons knowledgeable in the arts. (Kitsap County Code, Section 4.98.040 – One Percent for the
Art Program – Arts Board Established)
Bellingham’s Historic Preservation Commission requires that members have a demonstrated
interest and competence in historic preservation; at least four professionals who have experience in
identifying, evaluating, and protecting historic resources and are selected from among the disciplines
of architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology, folklore, cultural anthropology,
curation, conservation, landscape architecture, or related disciplines; and a member from Allied Arts.
(Bellingham Municipal Code, Section 2.54.010 – Created – Membership)
Tacoma’s Landmark Commission requires three architects, four individuals with professional
expertise in preservation related fields, one representative from the Tacoma Arts Commission, and
three interested citizens. Nonvoting ex-officio members may be appointed to represent property and
business owners within Tacoma's historic districts. (Tacoma Municipal Code, Section 1.42.040 –
Composition of Landmarks Preservation Commission)
Economic development and parking related commissions include members from the business community.
The number and areas of representation vary.
Kirkland’s Parking Advisory Board includes downtown commercial property owners,
professionals in service industries, retailers, restaurateurs, residents of downtown Kirkland or an
adjacent neighborhood with an interest in and knowledge of downtown parking issues. (Kirkland
Ordinance No. 4088)
Richland’s Central Business District Parking Committee includes five merchants or owners
appointed by the city council. The members must either own or operate a business or own property in
the Uptown Shopping Center. In the event that the city acquires ownership of the downtown shopping
area parking lots, eligibility for membership will also be extended to those who operate businesses or
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 15
own property in the downtown shopping area and the size of the committee will be expanded to seven
(7) persons. (Richland Municipal Code, Section 2.19.010 – Management of the Municipal Parking
Areas)
Burien’s Business and Economic Development Partnership provides that the voting membership
shall be selected with a goal of having predominantly business representation. To the extent available,
representation should include applicants from the following areas serving Burien: (a) business
owners, managers and employees; (b) commercial property owners; (c) chambers of commerce and
merchants’ associations; (d) Burien city residents; (e) employment and job training services; (f)
education; (g) others with interest in Burien. (Burien Municipal Code, Section 2.50.020 –
Membership)
Tukwila’s Economic Development Advisory Board consists of 13 board members who shall be
representative of the industrial, business and residential composition of the city. (Tukwila Municipal
Code, Section 2.35.020 – Composition of Board)
Demographic Representation
Among its policies, Tacoma considers the composition of the committee, board, or commission when
making appointments and attempts to ensure that committee membership represents the age, gender,
geographic, and cultural diversity of the community. This is a suggested approach for all jurisdictions.
Depending on the nature of the advisory body, it may be desirable to have membership represent
neighborhoods within the jurisdiction. Snohomish County’s desire to balance the two river valleys on its
agricultural advisory board was previously noted. Other illustrative examples include:
Lakewood’s Transportation Advisory Committee membership calls for citizens having a technical
background and contains a provision that the mayor and council also endeavor to appoint members
from neighborhoods throughout the city. (Lakewood Municipal Code, Section 2.44.020 –
Membership)
Lake Forest Park provides that balanced geographic representation of the city, consumer/citizen
interests, and professional expertise on a commission should be a consideration for appointment to
commission vacancies. (Lake Forest Park Municipal Code, Section 2.22.020 (G) – Commission Role
and Duties)
King County states that when appointing and confirming members to certain boards, commissions,
and committees it shall be the goal to have geographical diversity and balance. For some boards, the
number of persons from the same council district is limited to two. (King County Code, Section
2.28.0015 (C) – Nomination and Appointment – Procedures, Considerations)
Prohibition of City and County Employees and Others Serving on
Advisory Boards
Most local governments prohibit employees from serving on advisory boards, except as advisors or staff
liaisons. Some local government boards prohibit persons with certain contract interests from membership
on a specific board. An example is the City of Issaquah’s Human Rights Commission, “whose members
shall consist of individuals who have an interest in human services as evidenced by knowledge, support
and experience. At no time shall a member of the Commission also be employed by, or serve on the
Board of Directors of a human service agency delivering services to City residents.” (Issaquah Ordinance
No. 2494)
16 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Youth Involvement on Citizen Advisory Boards
Youth can be encouraged to take an interest in local government by involving them in the decisionmaking process. The Institute for Youth, Education, and Families at the National League of Cities states:
“Nothing is more important to the health of our democracy than the active engagement of young people in
representative government at the local level.”20
One method for providing a voice for youth is the representation of youth members on advisory boards.
Another method is the creation of youth commissions or boards to advise the legislative body on matters
related to youth. Youth is defined by the United Nations “as being between the ages of 15 and 24.”21
Teenagers are often defined as between 13 and 19 years of age; and young adults as 20 to 24 years of age.
Most Washington local government boards define youth membership as being in high school, with
varying ages. The City of Seattle has a program, called “Get Engaged,” that encourages young adults, 18
to 29 years of age, to participate on boards and commissions.
By creating programs to involve youth in local decision making, the community builds assets and
resources for local government policy-makers who are seeking effective solutions to community
problems.
Several Washington cities provide a seat for youth members on various advisory boards; the most
prevalent are park and library boards. The ages vary, but typically youth membership is set at the ages of
16 to 18, or sophomore to senior high school grade level. A few examples are listed below, including
those with higher age limits (see those of Renton and Seattle).
Kirkland provides for a two-year term for youth-specific seats on the human services advisory
committee, the library board, the park board, and the transportation commission. Qualifications are: a
resident of Kirkland or Kirkland's annexation areas and has attained the grade level of sophomore or
junior by September of the year of appointment. Appointees may complete their terms even if they
reach the age of 18 during their terms. All other qualifications and requirements applicable to board
or commission members apply to the youth member. (Kirkland Municipal Code, Section 3.08.110 –
Youth Member of Boards and Commissions)
Lacey includes youth members on the historical commission, park commission, and library board.
Requirements include: that youth members be between the ages of 16 and 18 when appointed; be
enrolled as a junior or senior in the North Thurston School District; or be enrolled in private school or
home schooled in Lacey or Lacey’s Urban Growth Management Area; and be a resident of the City of
Lacey or reside in Lacey’s Urban Growth Management Area. (Lacey Municipal Code, Sections
2.42.020(A), 2.44.020, and 2.46.020 – Membership –Terms)
Seattle Get Engaged is a cooperative program between the city and the YMCA. It places young
people, ages 18-29, on advisory boards and commissions to give input on policy decisions, issue
recommendations, and create a mechanism for citizen feedback within city government. The YMCA
recruits the participants and provides training and support, while the city offers special one-year
positions on the boards and commissions and partially funds the YMCA support work. (Greater
Seattle YMCA Web:
http://www.seattleymca.org/files/28/2008%20Get%20Engaged%20Overview%20Final3.pdf)
20
Promoting Youth Participation, Action Kit for Municipal Leaders, Issue #3, Institute for Youth, Education, and
Families (Washington, DC: National League of Cities, 2003.
21
Youth at the United Nations FAQs Q – What does the UN mean by “youth,” and how does this definition differ from
that given to children? http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/qanda.htm#1.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 17
Some jurisdictions have created youth commissions to advise policy-makers on issues affecting youth.
Some cities have found youth commissions effective while others have abandoned them for lack of
participation.
Bellevue’s Youth Link Board advises the Bellevue city council and city manager on youth matters
and programs and is authorized by the city to award funding for community youth projects. The board
is comprised of 6 youths and 6 adults appointed by the city manager.
Clark County’s Youth Commission provides a youth-oriented point of view to the work of the
board of county commissioners, county departments, and community organizations about issues
important to youth; makes suggestions on how to address the issues important to youth; and provides
instruction on how to build positive partnerships with youth. Members are ages 11-19.
Policies on the Recruitment of Members
Policies for recruitment and appointment of board members should establish a process that assures a
balance of viewpoints and is open and fair to all involved. This section focuses on recruiting qualified
citizens to participate on advisory boards.
The screening process for selection of volunteers to serve on local government boards should seek
persons with a strong interest and a willingness to contribute the necessary hours. If board members with
specific experience or expertise are needed, the credentials of the applicants should be reviewed carefully
to insure that adequate knowledge is available to accomplish the goals and objectives of the specific
advisory group.
Why Citizens Volunteer for Advisory Boards
The reasons people volunteer for service on advisory boards are as varied as the people themselves. Some
of the most common reasons include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
feeling that they can help shape policy
looking for a change of pace or to add variety to their life
fulfilling a civic duty
desiring to become involved and give something back to the community
wishing to donate their professional skill
wanting to have an impact
seeking recognition
wanting to meet other people
Expectations for Advisory Board Members
When citizens volunteer to serve on an advisory board, they need to know what is expected of them. The
tasks and work plan may be outlined in the enabling legislation for individual boards, but unlike
employees, there are no general rules of conduct for volunteers. To provide guidance, some jurisdictions
have drafted a set of expectations for their volunteers. Examples appear below from the cities of Lake
Forest Park and Olympia and Kitsap County:
Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual22 – Appointed members of an advisory commission are
expected to:
22
Section 3, The Different Types of Commissions and Their Responsibilities, Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s
Manual (Lake Forest Park, WA: 2001), 11.
18 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
•
•
•
•
listen carefully to community opinions, attitudes, and needs and report to the mayor and the
council;
study programs and services, and analyze problems and needs;
offer new proposals and recommend changes in programs, policies, and standards;
provide the public with information and interpretation of policies, programs, and budgets.
Olympia Expectations for Advisory Committee Members23
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All advisory board and committee meetings are to be conducted in public session and noticed
in accordance with state law, unless otherwise advised by Olympia’s city attorney.
Individual committee members and the collective group will be fair, impartial, and respectful
of the public, staff, and each other.
Committee members will respect the limitations of their individual and collective authority.
The role of the committee is to advise the city council and/or staff. Please keep in mind that
committee appointment does not empower you to make final decisions, unless authorized by
state law or the group’s enabling ordinance, or to supervise staff.
Members will strive to appreciate differences in approach and point of view, whether from
each other, the community, the city council, or staff.
Each member will participate in the group’s discussions and work assignments without
dominating the discussion or activity of the committee.
The committee chair will ensure that all members have a fair, balanced, and respectful
opportunity to share their knowledge and perspectives.
The committee will attempt to reach consensus on issues. If consensus is not possible, strong
differing opinions, such as “minority” opinions, should be recorded and acknowledged in the
committee’s report to the city council.
There should be “no surprises” from the committee, either in the nature of the work being
undertaken by the committee or the method and timing for conveyance of recommendations
to the city council. The staff liaison fulfills an important role in assisting the committee in
this regard.
Kitsap County Boards and Commissions Handbook24
If you are appointed as a member of an advisory group, you will be expected to:
•
•
•
•
interpret community opinions, attitudes, and needs to department staff and the
commissioners;
study programs and services, and analyze problems and needs;
offer new proposals and recommend changes in programs and policies;
provide fellow community members with information about county policies, programs, and
budgets.
When presenting recommendations to the commissioners, it is essential that advisory group members
keep the following in mind:
•
•
•
all recommendations should be in written form;
all ideas should be expressed in clear and concise language;
proposed solutions should be viable and cost-effective;
23
Olympia’s Advisory Committee Roles & Expectations, City of Olympia Web:
http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/citygovernment/advisory/Roles_Expectations.htm, last updated, 6-19-2006]
24
“Being an Effective Advisory Group Member,” Kitsap County Boards and Commissions Handbook Kitsap County,
compiled by Jan Koske (Port Orchard, WA: Kitsap County, Revised November 2004), 6-7.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 19
•
•
recommendations should identify the reasons for the changes suggested;
the advice should reflect a consensus of a majority of the group members.
Procedures for Recruiting New Board Members
Several jurisdictions have written step-by-step procedures for recruiting new board members, including
advertising, the application process, and the selection process. A few examples are included as
illustrations:
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Chapter 2.08 – Advisory Bodies outlines the following
procedures under Section A. Appointments Made by the Council.
For full-term vacancies, the following filing period is established: first Wednesday of January through
second full week of February. The city clerk will:
a. Publicly announce the position vacancy and filing period by publication of it in the official
newspaper of the City of Bothell.
b. Post notices of the position vacancy and filing period in the three public places established in
Section 8.02(B) of this manual.
c. Notify by mail all residents of the community not currently a member of an advisory board or
commission who have indicated interest in serving on a city board or commission.
d. Notify by mail the chairpersons of advisory boards and commissions of the vacancy.
e. Notify by mail the incumbents of advisory boards and commissions whose terms are expiring
of such term expiration and inviting incumbent to consider reapplying.
For partial-term vacancies, a minimum 30-day filing period applies, with dates to be determined by
the city clerk. Partial-term vacancies will be filled as outlined in Section 2.08(A)(1a-d).
Applications
Applications for appointment and orientation packets specific to a board of choice are made available
at the office of the city clerk.
Applicants are required to review the orientation packet prior to submission of their application and
return a signed application and supporting information, to include signing the city code of ethics, to
the city clerk by the advertised deadline.
Applicants may apply for more than one board by indicating 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., preferences.
Individuals currently serving on a city board are not prevented from applying for a different board.
However, that volunteer would be required to resign from the previous board.
Whatcom County Code 2.03.080 – Vacancies on Citizen Boards, Committees and Commissions.
A. The clerk of the council shall cause to be compiled and published annually a listing of vacancies
and anticipated vacancies on all citizen boards, committees, and commissions within the appointive
jurisdiction of both the council and the executive.
B. The listing shall state the title and term of office of each position, residency requirements (if any),
the appointing authority, and an address and telephone number for obtaining further information or
for making applications. The listing shall also include a brief description of the duties of each position
and information on when the regular meetings of the body in question are held.
C. The listing shall be posted in conspicuous places in the courthouse; provided to all county council
members, public libraries and city halls in the county; and be made available to the public and news
media at no charge.
20 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
D. Persons expressing an interest in applying for appointment to a council-appointed position on a
board, commission, or committee shall be given an application form which they must complete and
file with the clerk, giving their name, address, telephone number, occupation, and relevant
qualifications. The applications shall be kept on file in the clerk’s office.
E. Persons expressing an interest in applying for appointment to an executive-appointed position on a
board, commission, or committee shall be given an application form which they must complete and
file with the executive’s office, giving their name, address, telephone number, occupation, and
relevant qualifications. The applications shall be kept on file in the executive’s office.
The Invitation
As many citizens as possible should be given the opportunity to participate in local government.
Participation on advisory boards is one of those opportunities. Various forms of media can be used to
publicize board vacancies: notices in the jurisdiction’s official newspaper; news articles, press releases,
postings in places where citizens congregate, such as libraries and community centers; and postings on the
Web. An upbeat friendly tone may be more effective that a perfunctory, bureaucratic notice of vacancy.
Here are some illustrations taken from public invitations found on the Web:
The City of Battle Ground strives to build a productive working relationship between citizens and
city departments. Citizens who serve on boards and commissions help to enhance diversity and ensure
quality services to meet the needs of our growing city…. We invite you to learn more about the
citizens who comprise these groups as they represent the voice of the community. If you would like to
become an active part of any of the boards and commissions that the City of Battle Ground offers
please complete the talent bank application or contact us with any questions you might have!
More than 30 citizen advisory committees and boards help shape Clark County's future. From weed
management to traffic safety, these groups advise county departments and the Board of Clark County
Commissioners. To learn more about the work of the group, contact the staff person. If you're
interested in serving on a committee or board, write to–. Indicate the committee or board you are
interested in. If you're not selected right away, remember that many people apply and that there are
not always openings available. The county keeps all letters of application on file and reviews them
whenever there is an opening.
Seattle and Seattle YMCA’s Get Engaged Program – Mayor Greg Nickels is looking for people
aged 18-29 interested in making a difference through public service. As part of the YMCA’s Get
Engaged program, Nickels will appoint people in this age group to thirteen of the city’s boards and
commissions this fall.
Seattle – Do you want to provide input on city policies, and help shape both our city and its
government? Apply today to serve on a city board or commission!
Sumner – You're invited! Please consider participating on one of our boards and commissions. Your
input gives the city valuable information and expertise that might not otherwise be available. It helps
our citizens learn more about the city and enhances the sense of community that makes Sumner a
special place.
The Application
Most applications for advisory boards request information about professional and personal experience,
including participation in community activities, related to the board position for which the person is
applying. Applicants are usually asked to express why they are interested in serving on a particular
board. Other information often requested relates to residency and conflict of interest. The City of
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 21
Tacoma, which has a policy to strive for racial balance on its boards, asks about ethnicity. Sample
application forms are included in Appendix 2.
An application for appointment to an advisory board position is a public record, and there is no specific
statute exempting such applications from disclosure under the Public Records Act. While RCW
42.56.250(2) exempts from disclosure “All applications for public employment, including the names of
applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant,” positions on
volunteer boards are not normally considered public employment. Consequently, applications for
advisory board membership and other accompanied supplemental information would need to be disclosed
upon request.
Contact information and other similar type information submitted by a volunteer to a local government is
exempted from disclosure by RCW 42.56.250(3), which exempts: “The residential addresses, residential
telephone numbers, personal wireless telephone numbers, personal electronic mail addresses, social
security numbers, and emergency contact information of employees or volunteers of a public agency, and
the names, dates of birth, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, personal wireless
telephone numbers, personal electronic mail addresses, social security numbers, and emergency contact
information of dependents of employees or volunteers of a public agency that are held by any public
agency in personnel records, public employment related records, or volunteer rosters, or are included in
any mailing list of employees or volunteers of any public agency.” Because persons holding positions on
advisory boards and commissions are volunteers, as soon as they are appointed the exemption applies and
all such information should be redacted (deleted) from records before being disclosed.
Policies on the Nomination and Selection Process
Jurisdictions should establish consistent policies regarding the selection of citizens to serve on advisory
boards so as to assure compliance with appearance of fairness and conflict of interest provisions. The
selection process for board members can be simple or detailed. Sample polices from the cities of Bothell,
Edgewood, Lake Forest Park, and Vancouver are set forth below as examples.
‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual25 provides the following criteria for evaluation of
nominees:
Knowledge of Municipal and Planning Process – When ranking equally qualified
applicants, the council will consider background experience and knowledge of the
municipal process as appropriate to the position in reaching its decisions.
Contributive Potential – The council will evaluate the potential contribution that each
applicant may make if appointed to a board or commission. Criteria to guide the council
in its evaluation may include:
a. Ability to communicate
b. Desire to perform public service
c. Ability to express ideas, concepts, or philosophies
d. Desire to participate in decision-making process
25
Chapter 2.08 (B) – Advisory Bodies – Qualifications, Terms of Service, Forms, City of Bothell City Council Protocol
Manual (Bothell, WA, Revised April 2007), 15.
22 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Leadership Potential – Since each appointee may be called upon to serve as a chair, the
council will evaluate leadership abilities, such as:
a. Past or present leadership experience (current employment, special interests,
etc.)
b. Past or present participation in community services
c. Expressed interest in a leadership role
‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
Edgewood’s Council Rules of Procedure26 provides a detailed process for ranking applicants:
Citizen board, commission, committee, and task force members shall be selected in
accordance with the following procedures:
The city council, as a committee of the whole, shall review and rank application
packets to aid the mayor in selecting candidates to interview. Should there be
four or fewer applicants for any one position, all candidates shall be interviewed
by the council and the prescreening of the candidates shall not be required.
The city council, as a committee of the whole, shall interview candidates in a
panel format, with all candidates participating in the interview session
concurrently. Councilmembers are encouraged to develop a short list of
questions they would like to ask of the candidates. The mayor shall call on each
councilmember present to ask questions from their prepared list of the
candidate(s) of their choice. The same questions may or may not be asked of
every candidate. Depending on the number of candidates to be interviewed and in
the interest of completing the interview session(s) in a timely manner, the mayor
may limit the number of questions asked by each councilmember. If the number
of questions is to be limited, the mayor shall announce the number of questions
each councilmember may ask prior to the commencement of the interviews.
Upon completing the interviews, each councilmember will announce their
ranking of the candidates interviewed and the city clerk or designee shall tally the
council rankings. The results of the rankings shall be provided to the council and
shall be used by the mayor for consideration in the appointment process. At the
mayor’s discretion, the appointment process may take place at a regularly
scheduled council meeting or a special council meeting following the interview
session.
‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
Nomination and confirmation process from the Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual27
Commissioners are nominated by the mayor and confirmed by the council. The mayor
solicits people who are interested in serving from a number of sources, including the
Town Crier, other commission members, and word of mouth. Generally, the mayor will
26
Section 20.8, Edgewood Council Rules of Procedure (Edgewood, WA: Amended October 10, 2006), 22-23.
27
Section I. (2.) – Lake Forest Park Commission System, Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual (Lake Forest Park,
WA: 2001), 9.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 23
request a resume or a letter of interest from an interested individual. Typically the mayor
and the chair of the commission meet with a prospective commissioner.
The mayor may then proceed with a formal nomination. The letter or resume is included
by the city clerk in the council packet and submitted to the city council.
Confirmation Process. The council must confirm the appointments, with the exception of
civil service commissioners. The city council interviews the candidate. These interviews
usually take place at a council workshop, which is less formal than a regular council
meeting. Nominees should be prepared to answer questions from the councilmembers. In
the past, councilmembers have been interested in why the nominee wants to serve, as
well as his or her interest and/or experience with the issues addressed by the commission.
The council members may ask any questions they wish. The nomination process is
continued to the next council meeting for final action.
‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
Appointment criteria and interview process from Vancouver Policies and Procedures 100-06,
4-07
4.3 Initial Appointment Criteria – It shall be the policy of the city council to evaluate
each applicant for appointment on an objective basis, utilizing the following criteria:
Residency – Appointments to certain boards and commissions must, by
state law or local ordinance, be limited to residents of the City of
Vancouver. It is preferable that all appointments be filled by city
residents. However, persons living outside the City of Vancouver may
be considered and appointed to positions not legally restricted to city
residents when determined appropriate by the council. City employees
will not be appointed to city boards and commissions.
Contributive Potential – City council shall evaluate the potential
contribution that each applicant may make if appointed to a board or
commission. Factors to guide council in its evaluation of this could
include:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Desire to perform public service.
Ability to express ideas, concepts or philosophies.
Experience in the community on other boards and committees.
Special knowledge important to a particular board or commission.
Time Available to Serve – City council will need to be assured that the
candidate will be available to serve at the scheduled meetings.
Sectional Composition – Maintaining geographic balance of community
representation is recognized as a desirable goal in the appointment of
boards and commissions when applicable.
4.6 Interview and Selection
Council Interview Period – All candidates will be interviewed by council
committee unless an exceptionally large number of applications are
received and the committee decides, after screening the applications, to
24 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
interview a smaller number of applicants. If insufficient applications are
received, the committee may decide to re-advertise.
After each applicant or member has been interviewed, the committee
shall forward a recommendation to the full council for consideration.
Policies on the Method of Appointment and Notification
Some local government legislative bodies make board appointments by passing resolutions, while others
pass motions. Candidates should be notified in writing of their appointments. Applicants that were not
chosen should also receive written notification. Those not chosen should be encouraged to volunteer for
other opportunities. The ongoing interest and participation of a qualified candidate can easily be lost with
a poorly worded rejection letter, particularly if appointments appear politicized.
Policies on the methods of appointment are illustrated here.
Douglas County
A. The board of county commissioners shall appoint by resolution to those boards, councils and
committees required by statute from the list of applications after publication of position open
notice.
B. The board of county commissioners shall appoint by resolution to those boards, councils, and
committees not required by statute from a list of individuals who have indicated by letters of
interest the willingness to serve. (Douglas County Code, Section 2.48.010 – Board of County
Commissioners Appointment Authority)
Lake Forest Park – After confirmation, the city clerk’s office sends a letter to the individual
notifying him/ her of the appointment. Note: confirmation is by motion of the council. (Lake Forest
Park Commissioner’s Manual, Nomination Process)
Vancouver – Each applicant shall be notified by mail of the decision of the council. The chairperson
of the advisory board, committee, or commission concerned with the council decision shall also be
advised. Note: appointments made by motion of council. (Section 4.6 Interview and Selection –
Decision and Announcement, Vancouver Policies and Procedures No. 100-06, 4-07)
Whatcom County – The names of recommended appointees by the executive, and the names of
nominees by council members, shall be published on the agenda for the council meeting at which
action is to be taken in filling a position or confirming an appointment. Note: appointments are made
by motion. (Whatcom County Code, Section 2.03.075 – Review of Nominees and Executive
Appointees)
Policies on Temporary Appointments
Occasionally there may be a need to make a temporary appointment to a board. Provisions for temporary
appointments follow:
Bellevue – Whenever for any reason there is or will be a vacancy in the office of member of a board,
commission or committee of the city, the mayor, upon the confirmation by a majority of the council,
may appoint a person to act as a temporary member of the board, commission, or committee to serve
until a person is appointed to fulfill the term of office for which the vacancy exists. (Bellevue
Municipal Code, Section 3.48.010 –Temporary Appointments)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 25
Oak Harbor – (1) The mayor shall have authority to appoint one or more alternates or temporary
members to any of the boards, commissions, and committees of the city to serve in the absence of any
regular member who is absent from such board, commission, or committee or for other reasons is
unable to attend or when a vacancy on the board has occurred; provided, that when an alternate or
temporary member is scheduled to serve for more than six months, and the ordinance establishing
such board requires council approval of mayoral nominations that the appointment will be submitted
to council for approval at least within two months after appointment. If approval is not given, the
alternate or temporary appointment shall not continue as a member except to complete any quasijudicial hearings he or she is participating in. In no event may a term for an alternate be longer than
three years. (2) The power of appointment under this section shall apply to planning commission,
board of adjustment, board of appeals, civil service commission, personnel advisory board, library
board, community police advisory board, marina committee and any other board, commission, or
committee of the city except committees made up exclusively of councilmembers. (Oak Harbor
Municipal Code, Section 2.65.010 – Temporary Board and Commission Members)
Policies Regarding Service on More Than One Board
Generally citizens are appointed to only serve on one board at a time. In special circumstances, the local
governing board may want the flexibility to deviate from the general rule. Examples are provided from
the cities of Edgewood, Lynnwood, and Tacoma.
Edgewood – It is the intent of the council that advisory body members not serve on more than one
board, commission, committee, or task force at any time in order to provide opportunities for diverse
citizen input. However, there may be extenuating circumstances, such as the specialized expertise that
a citizen may bring to more than one advisory body, or lack of other qualified applicants, that will
justify multiple advisory body membership. (Edgewood Council Procedures, Section 20.9)
Lynnwood – No person shall be nominated or confirmed to a position on more than one advisory
body at a time. This prohibition does not apply to multiple appointments created by specifying certain
“representative” memberships, expressly created by the city council, or as required by state law.
(Lynnwood Municipal Code, Section 2.24.070 – Multiple Appointment Prohibited.)
Tacoma – Simultaneous Appointments: It is the policy of the council to appoint citizens to no more
than one committee, board, or commission except for specialized committees or task forces of limited
duration. (Appointments to Citizen Committees, Boards and Commissions – Policies, City of Tacoma
Orientation Handbook for Citizen Committees, Boards, Commissions and Public Development
Authorities, 2008)
Policies on Terms of Office and Reappointment
Most local governments set the term of office for their advisory board positions. However, few appear to
set limits on the number of terms a board member may serve. A jurisdiction may set a limit on the
number of terms that can be served for some boards, but not others. Unless there is a specific limit that
relates to the board in question, it can be assumed that there is no limit to the number of terms that may be
served. A general limit may be imposed, but it would have to be clear that it is meant to apply to all
boards.
The most common limit is two terms. More years of service are allowed if there is a break between terms
or special circumstances. The length of the term for each type of board varies from two to six years. The
following examples show the variation in policies.
26 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Lake Forest Park – An individual may be re-appointed to a commission. The re-appointment
process is the same as the appointment process. The nominations must come before the city council
for confirmation. Commissioners may serve for two consecutive three-year terms on the same
commission. However, they may be appointed to serve on the same commission after a one-year
break in service. (Section 1(2) – Terms, City of Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual, 2001)
Olympia – (A.) The term of office for committee positions shall be three (3) years, and such terms
shall commence on April 1. (B.) The terms shall be staggered so that as near as possible one-third of
each committee’s membership shall expire each year. (C.) There is no limit on the number of terms
to which an individual may be appointed. (Olympia Municipal Code, Section 02.100.050 – Term of
Office)
Pierce County – A term of office for any board or commission shall not be longer than four years.
Members of boards and commissions shall be limited to two consecutive full terms. (Pierce County
Charter, Section 3.30)
Tacoma – All appointments are made for specified terms. In the event a replacement is not appointed
before a member's term expires, the current committee member shall be allowed to serve until a
replacement is found. (Appointments to Citizen Committees, Boards and Commissions – Policies –
Terms, City of Tacoma Orientation Handbook for Citizen Committees, Boards, Commissions and
Public Development Authorities, 2008)
Snohomish County – Boards and Commissions – The term of office of any board or commission
member shall not be longer than four years. Members of boards and commissions shall be limited to
three, consecutive full terms. (Snohomish County Charter, Section 9.60 – Term of Office)
Walla Walla – The terms of the members of the advisory commissions created in Section 2.25.010A
shall be for three years. Unless otherwise provided, all members of the advisory commissions shall be
appointed by the mayor with the consent of the council. No person shall serve more than two
consecutive terms on any one commission unless the council makes a finding that special expertise is
required or there are no other qualified applicants. (Walla Walla Municipal Code, Section 2.25.020 –
Terms and Appointment)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 27
‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹ ‹
Getting the Board Organized
Orientation
It is important that board members understand the context in which the board operates, including legal
requirements. One approach is to provide an orientation session, similar to what is provided for newlyelected officials. Edgewood provides in its Council Rules of Procedure, that “Newly appointed members
will receive a briefing by the board, commission, committee or task force chairperson and/or city staff
regarding duties and responsibilities of the members of the advisory body. Each newly appointed member
will receive an information packet which will include a certificate of appointment signed by the mayor, a
board, commission, committee or task force membership list, contact information of the responsible city
staff member, statement of purpose for the advisory body which may include an ordinance, resolution,
work plan, operating policy or bylaws.” (City of Edgewood Council Rules of Procedure, Section 20.11,
Amended October 10, 2006)
Several jurisdictions have created handbooks for their board members that provide introductory
information about the jurisdiction, context for advisory boards, procedural information, and expected
conduct. Examples of orientation manuals or handbooks for new board members may be viewed on
MRSC’s Boards and Commissions Web page: http://www.mrsc.org/Subjects/Governance/boards.aspx.
Bylaws and Rules of Procedure for Conducting Meetings
Some enabling provisions are generic and only specify that the advisory bodies will be responsible for
adopting operating policies and/or bylaws consistent with the establishing ordinance or resolution. Others
may specify how the board is to be organized and require the adoption of Roberts Rules.
Parliamentary procedure provides the process for proposing, amending, approving and defeating
legislative motions. Some jurisdictions require that parliamentary rules of procedure be followed by all
their advisory boards. The adoption and use of rules of procedure can make advisory board meetings
more efficient. As a practical matter, many governing bodies have adopted Robert's Rules. Some prefer
to operate less formally, and use Roberts Rules only when their own rules do not address a particular
procedural matter or when there is a controversy. Sample provisions adopting rules of procedure for
conducting meetings appear below.
Lynnwood – The advisory body shall adopt rules of procedure. The advisory body shall provide for
the taking of minutes and maintaining the records of all regular and special meetings. (Lynnwood
Municipal Code Section 2.24.100 – Procedures, Records and Minutes.)
Olympia – The general government committee of the city council shall establish rules of procedure
and bylaws for committees. (Olympia Municipal Code, Section 02.100.070 – Rules of Procedure and
Bylaws)
Renton – The proceedings of all boards and commissions shall be governed by the most current
edition of Robert’s Rules of Order. (Renton Municipal Code, Section 2-18-5 – Rules of Order)
28 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Internal Organization of Advisory Boards
Generally, boards will designate a chairperson to run meetings, set agendas, and provide general
leadership. In some jurisdictions, advisory boards elect their own officers, but in others, the board chair
or officers are appointed. State statutes designate the chair for a few boards.28
Lake Forest Park – In April, each commission nominates a commissioner to be appointed by the
mayor as chair. The chair serves for one year and may be reappointed twice for up to a total of three
consecutive years. The chair is responsible for developing agendas, running the meeting, and
providing leadership to the commission. The mayor reports annually to the city council on the
appointments of the chairs by May 17th. The members of the commission elect their own vice-chair.
(Section I. (5) Role of the Chair – Selection of Chair, City of Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s
Manual, Spring 2001)
Lynnwood – Each advisory body shall elect from its membership a presiding officer who shall be
referred to as chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, as determined appropriate by the advisory body,
and such officer shall serve for one year. The advisory body may elect other officers as it deems
necessary and such offices shall be set forth in the rules of procedure adopted by the advisory body.
(Lynnwood Municipal Code, Section 2.24.040 Officers – Identification and Election)
A majority of the appointed members of the advisory body shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. An affirmative vote of the majority of a quorum in attendance at any meeting
shall be necessary to transact business or carry any proposition. Expressions of an advisory body’s
position, recommendation or request for any action shall be in the form of a resolution setting forth
the reasons, facts, policies, and/or findings of the body supporting the resolution and shall be directed
to the city council and mayor. (Lynnwood Municipal Code, Section 2.24.050 – Quorums, Transacting
Business and Resolutions)
Providing a Work Plan for Advisory Boards
Advisory boards are often created when the governing body perceives a need to have citizen input. A
scope of work should be set out so that the board members can work toward the mission or goal set for the
board. Sample provisions follow:
Lynnwood – Each advisory body shall develop a scope of work, within the jurisdiction and area of
responsibility of each advisory body that may, as the advisory body determines necessary and
appropriate, include the following:
1. Annually review its portion(s) of the comprehensive plan or departmental multi-year plan(s),
and suggest desired amendments thereto.
2. Annually review its portion of the city budget and suggest desired amendments, as relates to
comprehensive plan, capital facilities plan, and policy matters.
3. Participate in the preparation of the advisory body’s annual report showing achievement
towards fulfilling goals, policies, and objectives of the advisory body.
4. Present major policy advisories to the city council.
5. Meet with city council and other boards.
6. Examine and respond to referrals from the city council, mayor, or staff, including public
meetings or formal hearings. (Lynnwood Municipal Code, Section – 2.24.020(C) – Scope of work.)
28
Chair persons designated by statute: Firemen’’s Relief and Pension Act, RCW 41.16.020 and RCW 41.18.015;
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, RCW 67.28.1817.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 29
Mercer Island – Annually, staff shall develop a draft work program for each board and commission
based upon the city council’s annual work plan. Staff will present the draft work program to each
board and commission for input and revision. All board and commission work programs will then be
presented to the city council for review, possible amendments, and approval. Boards and
commissions shall not direct city staff to perform research, gather information, or otherwise engage in
activities involving projects or matters that are not listed on the work plan unless approved by the city
council or city manager. Copies of board and commission agendas will be included in city council
regular meeting packets. (City of Mercer Island City Council Rules of Procedures, Section 8.14, last
amended 6/19/06)
Olympia – Each committee, except the design review board, shall present an annual work plan to the
city council for approval in a format and within parameters determined by the city council’s general
government committee. Substantive changes to the work plan after approval by the city council shall
be submitted to the general government committee for consideration and recommendation to the full
council. (Olympia Municipal Code, Section 02.100.080 – Annual Work Plan)
Attendance Requirements
It should be emphasized that being on a board or commission may require a significant personal
commitment. When circumstances change and board members are unable to attend meetings, they should
consider resigning. However, there are cases when a member means well, but just doesn’t make it to
meetings. To insure a quorum, provisions need to be in place to cover chronic absenteeism. Policies on
absenteeism vary considerably as seen in the following examples:
Bainbridge Island – When any member of any commission or board of the city misses two
consecutive meetings of the commission or board, or more than 25 percent of the regular meetings of
the commission or board during any calendar year without the permission of the mayor of the city,
then in such event the mayor of the city shall have the authority to dismiss the member from the
board or commission without stating any cause for the dismissal, except as otherwise provided by
law. For the purposes hereof, the terms “commission” or “board” shall mean any board, commission
or committee comprised of citizens appointed to said board, commission or committee and
established to advise the mayor and/or the city council. (Bainbridge Island Municipal Code, Section
2.30.010 – Attendance Failure – Member Dismissal)
Kent – At any meeting of the board, the board may recommend to the mayor removal of any member
who misses three (3) consecutive meetings without being excused by the board upon an affirmative
vote of a majority of the board. To fill unexpired terms, replacement appointments will be made as
necessary by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Appointments made to fill vacancies will
be made to fill the portion of the unexpired term. (Kent Municipal Code, Section 2.56.080 – Diversity
Board – Attendance and Vacancies.)
Kirkland – A commissioner will be expected to attend no less than eighty percent of all meetings for
which there is no prearranged absence. In addition, when a member misses three or more consecutive
meetings not excused by a majority vote of the parking advisory board, the board shall consider
recommending removal of that member. The parking advisory board shall report to the city council
about a member’s pattern of absence, together with the board’s recommendation concerning removal.
A member may be removed by a majority of the city council. A member finding himself/herself
unable to attend regular meetings is expected to tender his/her resignation. A resignation will be
effective on such date as designated by the resigning board member. (Kirkland Municipal Code,
Section 3.40.030 – Parking Advisory Board) Note: Similar language is used in provisions for the
planning commission and park board.
30 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Lake Forest Park – If a commissioner misses the majority of the meetings in any two six-month
periods during the term of office, the mayor may assume the position is vacant and appoint someone
to the position. In April and October, the mayor will get a report on attendance from the city clerk. If
a member is absent 50 percent of the time in a six-month period, the mayor will contact the
commissioner to discuss his or her participation. If in an additional six-month period, the
commissioner is again absent for more than 50 percent of the meetings, the mayor may assume the
position is vacant and fill the position.
It is the intent of the mayor to be in contact with commissioners absent from a significant number of
meetings to discuss their participation. The city understands the need to balance the family and work
obligations with the needs of the commission. The mayor will take into consideration if a
commissioner has occasional family obligations, is required to travel because of their work, or is ill.
Absences may be excused if the commission chair is notified in advance and the commission
members vote to excuse the member. The ordinance requires the mayor to monitor attendance
whether it is excused or not.
Generally the commissions meet once or twice a month. Attendance must be taken at each meeting.
The clerk of the commission will make sure the city clerk has the attendance lists. The city clerk will
make the attendance records available to the mayor twice a year. (Section II(6) – The Keys to Being
an Effective Commission Member – Attendance, City of Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual,
Spring 2001)
Setting Out Reporting Requirements
Provisions for periodic reporting of boards and commissions to the governing body provide a tool for
oversight and policy evaluation, and can be used to enhance communications with constituents. The
frequency and type of reports vary, as shown in the illustrations below.
Des Moines provides that an appointive committee make an annual written report to the council of its
transactions and expenditures for the preceding year and general any recommendations by March 1st.
(Des Moines Municipal Code, Section 4.24.130 – Reports)
King County requires the executive to prepare an annual status report to the council regarding boards
and commissions which includes, at a minimum, an inventory of boards and commissions; a
description of activities; a list of members; a list showing the terms of office, including the terms to
expire during the following year; and the department or agency providing staff support, including a
contact address and phone number. (King County Code, Section 2.28.020 – Annual Executive Report
Required)
Lakewood provides for annual reports of progress to the city council by certain boards. Additional
reports may be requested by the city council. The planning advisory board must annually provide a
report on progress made in implementing the goals and requirements of state law and on the status of
land use policies and procedures within the city. (Lakewood Municipal Code, Chapter 2 contains
provisions for various boards and commissions)
Lake Forest Park provides that the chairs of the commissions meet with the mayor quarterly to share
major issues with the other commissions and to provide an opportunity for joint planning. Deadlines
for reporting are also provided. (Section I. (5.) Role of the Chair – Quarterly Meetings with the
Mayor, City of Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual, Spring 2001)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 31
Provisions for Review and Evaluation of Advisory Boards
It is important to periodically review whether the advisory body is effective and is still needed. The two
provisions below are examples of jurisdictions that provide for periodic review and evaluation of advisory
boards.
Seattle – The function and activities of each city advisory board, commission, or similar body as shall
have been or may hereafter be established by ordinance or resolution shall be reviewed every two (2)
years for the purpose of determining whether the purpose for which such board, commission, or
similar body was established is being fulfilled, and whether a need for such board, commission, or
similar body still exists. (Seattle Municipal Code, Section 3.98.010 – Biennial Review of Boards and
Commissions – Purpose of Review)
Snohomish County – Special purpose bodies known as ad hoc or advisory committees are subject to
the following:
(1) Purpose and length. At the time of their creation, ad hoc or advisory committees shall be
charged by the executive and/or council with a written mandate including specific purpose(s) and
desired product(s). In addition, timing provisions including an automatic date of disbanding, shall
be set by the creating authority. Such dates may be altered by council resolution.
(2) Yearly review. Coincident with the budget proposal, the executive shall submit to the council
each year a summary of the activities of all ad hoc or advisory committees, together with an
analysis and recommendations on their future operation. (Snohomish County Code, Section
2.03.090 – Ad hoc or Advisory Committees)
32 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
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Requirements for Open Meetings,
Minutes, and Other Records
Open Public Meetings
The Open Public Meetings Act, Ch. 42.30 RCW declares that all meetings of the governing body of a
public agency shall be open and public. Most boards and commissions created by statute are subject to
the Open Meetings Act.
Committees established by the governing body are required to comply with the provisions of the Open
Public Meetings Act when they act on behalf of the governing body by exercising actual or de facto
decision-making powers. The difficulty is determining whether the deliberations of an advisory body are
subject to the act. Responding to a question about city council committees, the Washington State
Attorney General noted in AGO 1986 No. 16 that the fact that the city council almost always follows the
advice and recommendations of its council committees does not require the conclusion that the committee
is acting on behalf of the council. A committee acts on behalf of the governing body when it exercises
actual or de facto decision-making authority for the body. This is in contrast to the situation where the
committee simply provides advice or information to the governing body. In the opinion of the
Washington state attorney general’s office, such advisory committees do not act on behalf of the
governing body and are therefore not subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.29
Many counties and cities have a general statement saying that all advisory boards, committee, and
commission meetings are open to the public. To avoid having to analyze each body, the most judicious
procedure may be to make all the meetings of all advisory bodies open and public, unless an executive
session is permitted by law. Several illustrations have been included.
Lynnwood – Each advisory body shall hold regular meetings at such times and places as is deemed
advisable but shall hold not less than six meetings each calendar year. All meetings shall be open to
the public and be held on not less than 72 hours’ notice to members. (Lynnwood Municipal Code,
Section 2.24.110 – Meetings)
Normandy Park – All commission meetings shall be open to the public, and notice of the meetings
shall comply with the Washington Open Public Meetings Act and documents will be deemed subject
to Ch. 42.17 RCW [now recodified as chapter 42.56 RCW]. The commission shall hold regular
meetings at least quarterly. The commission shall keep minutes of its regular public meetings, and
records of all official actions shall be made available to the public upon approval of the minutes by
the commission. (Normandy Park Municipal Code, Section 2.26.02 (5) – Arts Commission Meetings)
Renton – (D) Except as otherwise stated in state law, all meetings of boards, commissions, and
committees are open public meetings. (E) All boards, commissions, and committees shall establish
regular dates and times for meetings, and shall consult with the city clerk about scheduling special
29
See also, “Who is Subject to the Act?” in The Open Public Meetings Act: How it Applies to Washington, Cities,
Counties, and Special Districts, Report No. 60 (Seattle: Municipal Research and Services Center, May 2008).
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 33
meetings and announcing meeting cancellations. (Renton Municipal Code, Section 18-2 -18-4 –
Reporting and Minutes)
San Juan County – The board of county commissioners recognizes that it is an agency subject to the
Open Public Meetings Act of the State of Washington, as are all subagencies of San Juan County
created by or pursuant to statute, ordinance, or other legislative act, including but not limited to
planning commissions, fair and park boards, and other county commissions and agencies. (San Juan
County Code, Section 2.10.020 – Policy on Open Government)
Tacoma – City committees, boards, commissions, and task forces are subject to the provisions of the
Open Meeting Act. (Tacoma Resolution No. 32408)
Public Records Requirements
The Washington State Public Records Act applies to “any office, department, division, bureau, board,
commission, or agency of every county, city, town, municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation,
or special purpose district, or other local public agency.”30
Generally, provisions governing advisory bodies specify that minutes be kept of meetings and that there
be periodic reporting. The recorded activities of the advisory body, such as meeting minutes, reports, and
correspondence, are public records. For information on public records disclosure, consult the Municipal
Research and Services Center’s publication, Public Records Act for Washington Cities and Counties,
Report No. 61, 2007.
There is a general local government records retention schedule, adopted by the Washington State
Archives and Records Management Division, for advisory councils, commissions, committees, and
boards. It covers agenda packets and all referenced and attached documents; audio/video tape recordings
of meetings; correspondence; minutes including all referenced and attached documents; and reports
submitted to governing council, commission, committee, board, or executive.31
Three provisions have been excerpted as examples from general provisions for advisory bodies:
Lynnwood – The advisory body shall provide for the taking of minutes and maintaining the records
of all regular and special meetings. (Lynnwood Municipal Code, Section 2.24.100 – Procedures,
Records and Minutes)
Renton – All boards, commissions, and committees shall take formal minutes of their meetings and
shall appoint a member to take such minutes, or such minute responsibility may be delegated to a
staff support person if there is a staff support person assigned to the board, commission, or committee
on a permanent basis, who is always in attendance at such meetings. A copy of all minutes shall be
filed with the city clerk as the official record. Any rules and regulations adopted by any board,
commission, or committee shall be filed with the city clerk. (Renton Municipal Code, Section 18-2 –
18-4 – Reporting and Minutes)
Bonney Lake – The mayor and staff shall ensure that the council is provided with, in a timely
manner, copies of all agendas and minutes for all statutory boards, agencies, and citizen advisory
30
RCW 42.17.020(2) – Definitions and WAC 44-14-01001 Scope of coverage of Public Records Act.
31
Local government Agencies of Washington State Records Management Guidelines and General Records Retention
Schedules, Approved by Washington State Local Records Committee (Olympia, WA: Office of the Secretary of State, Division
of Archives and Records Management).
34 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
bodies. The mayor and staff shall ensure that copies of all council agendas and minutes shall be
provided to each board, agency, and commission by the staff in a timely manner.
All recommendations and final reports to the council from all boards, agencies, commissions, and
citizen advisory committees shall be made in person at a regular council meeting by the chair or a
duly designated representative of each board, commission, or committee, which designee may include
the appropriate department head or assigned staff liaison. A copy of the written report or
recommendation shall be submitted to the city clerk or deputy city clerk by the agenda cut off time,
prior to the scheduled meeting, as established in these policies to allow the council sufficient time to
review. (Bonney Lake Municipal Code, Section 2.04.1040 – Board, Agency, Commission and
Committee Minutes and Recommendations)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 35
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Application of Appearance
of Fairness
The appearance of fairness is a rule of law that requires government decision-makers to conduct noncourt hearings and proceedings in a way that is fair and unbiased in both appearance and fact. It was
developed as a method of assuring that due process protections, which normally apply in courtroom
settings, extend to certain types of administrative decision-making hearings, such as rezones of specific
property. The doctrine attempts to bolster public confidence in fair and unbiased decision-making by
making certain that in both appearance and fact parties to an argument receive equal treatment. For
further reading on appearance of fairness see the Municipal Research and Services Center’s publication,
The Appearance of Fairness Doctrine in Washington State, Report No. 32, January 1995.
Some jurisdictions have included appearance of fairness provisions in their guides for boards and
commissions. Examples are polices from the cities of Tacoma and Des Moines.
Tacoma – It is the policy of the city council to avoid conflicts of interests and to act both fairly and
with an appearance of fairness with respect to committee appointments and actions. Applicants for
committees, boards, authorities and commissions will be required to complete a supplemental
questionnaire to determine if a potential conflict of interests exists.
No person shall be appointed to any committee, board, or commission that recommends that the city
fund any organization of which that person is an interested party. An interested party is defined as a
person who has, or expects to have, any pecuniary interest in the recipient organization, whether such
interest is by position of agent, employee, director, owner, officer, or otherwise, and whether such
pecuniary interest be direct or indirect. A director, officer, or member of an organization shall not be
disqualified from serving on such committee, board, or commission when there is no financial benefit
or expectancy of same to that person or his/her immediate family from affiliation with such
organization. In addition, if any member of a committee, board, authority, or commission that
recommends city funds for an organization is or becomes such interested party of that particular
organization, he or she shall immediately resign. Also, if a member of any committee, board,
authority, or commission has any other affiliation with an agency which is requesting funding, the
member shall disclose the affiliation, shall not vote on the matter, and shall not attempt to influence
any other member of the committee, board, or commission to make a recommendation to the city
council.
Finally, if a member violates any of the aforementioned policies regarding appearance of fairness and
conflict of interests, the city council may review and take action including, but not limited to, voiding
any contract, rescinding funding and/or removing any member of a committee, board, authority, or
commission from their appointed position. (City of Tacoma Orientation Handbook for Citizen
Committees, Boards, Commissions, and Public Development Authorities – Appearance of Fairness
and Conflict of Interests)
Des Moines – If a member of an appointive committee concludes that he/she has a conflict of interest
or an appearance of fairness problem with respect to a matter pending before the appointive
36 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
committee so that he/she cannot discharge his/her duties on such an appointive committee, he/she
shall disqualify himself/herself from participating in the deliberations and the decision-making
process with respect to the matter. (Des Moines Municipal Code, Section 4.24.060 – Conflicts of
Interest)
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 37
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Application of Ethics Codes
to Advisory Boards
Most local governments appear to cover all elected officials, appointed officials, and employees in their
ethics codes, but there are variations. Some jurisdictions have separate ethics codes for employees, and
may include volunteer advisory board members among them. Some ethics codes provide that they apply
to city officials, but city official is not defined. Ethics code provisions should make it clear who is
covered by the code. The examples provided below avoid ambiguity. Ethics codes are often prefaced
with a short statement of purpose. The illustrations chosen include a statement as to who is covered by
the code of ethics. The first example is a simple statement of purposes. The second is part of a preamble
to the code. The third example combines a preamble with a statement of purpose. The last example is in
the form of a policy statement.
Shoreline – The purpose of a code of ethics is to strengthen the quality of government through ethical
principles which shall govern the conduct of the elected and appointed officials and employees.
(Shoreline Resolution No. 30, Exhibit A)
Snoqualmie – The proper operation of democratic representative government requires that elected
and appointed public officers and employees be independent, impartial, and responsible to the people;
that government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the government structure;
that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of
its government. Accordingly, it is the purpose of this chapter to establish ethical standards of conduct
for all officers and employees of the city, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid; to set forth
those acts that are incompatible with such standards; to require disclosure by such officers and
employees of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the city; and to provide effective
means for enforcement thereof. (Snoqualmie Municipal Code, Section 2.80.010 – Purpose).
Clallam County – The board of county commissioners finds and declares that public office is a
public trust; that the proper operation of this trust requires that public officials and employees be
independent, impartial, and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made
in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain;
and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. Accordingly, it is the purpose
of this chapter to establish ethical standards of conduct for all officials and employees of the county,
paid or unpaid; to set forth those acts that are incompatible with such standards; to require disclosure
of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the county or affected by county action; and
to provide effective means for enforcement thereof. (Clallam County Code, Section 3.01.010 –
Ethics – Purpose)
Tacoma – It is the policy of the city to uphold, promote, and demand the highest standards of ethics
from all of its employees and officials, whether elected, appointed, or hired. City officers and
employees shall maintain the utmost standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and
fairness in carrying out their public duties; avoid any improprieties in their roles as public servants
including the appearance of impropriety; and never use their city position or powers for improper
personal gain. In construing this chapter, city officials should be guided by common sense and
38 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
practicality. This code of ethics is supplemental to state law, RCW 42.23, as now or hereafter
amended. (Tacoma Municipal Code, Section 1.46.010 – Code of Ethics – Purpose)
Generally advisory board members are included in the application of a local government’s ethics code,
but not all are as well defined as the examples above. If coverage is not clearly defined in a general
statement, then there should be a set of definitions that clarifies coverage. If the term public official or
public officer is used, it too should be defined along with what is considered an advisory body.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 39
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Compensation of Advisory
Board Members
The general practice is that members of voluntary advisory boards do not receive compensation, though
some expenses may be reimbursed. It would be possible to establish an advisory board and pay
compensation to the members unless specifically prohibited by statute.32
32
RCW 35.63.030 prohibits compensation to planning commission members in second class cities and towns.
40 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
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Summary
Citizen advisory boards perform a critical role by advising the policy-making body on important and
complex issues. They are a structured way for individual citizens to share their opinions and
perspectives, and to formulate recommendations in a focused, small group format. The series of topics
covered in this publication illustrate practices that may assist in creating an efficient and effective
advisory board system.
Though they are considered a traditional approach to citizen engagement, citizen advisory boards serve an
increasingly vital role in most local governments. Boards can represent the demographic profile of a
community and provide a voice for many interests. They remain the primary process for involving
residents in the democratic decision-making process. Democracy can only be realized when individuals
come together across neighborhood and economic lines to assist in making the community decisions that
shape all our lives.
Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 41
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References
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bothell, Washington. City of Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Revised April 2007
Clallam County, Washington. “Clallam County Boards & Committees, Policy Procedure 952,”
in Clallam County Administrative Manual, Revised February 24, 2004
Edgewood, Washington. “City Advisory Bodies,” Section 20 in City of Edgewood Council Rules
of Procedures, Amended October 10, 2006
Ellensburg, Washington. 2008 Handbook for Councilmembers and Board, Commission &
Committee Members. 2008
Falk, Steven. “Making Citizen Task Forces Work: Eight Strategies to Consider,” Public
Management, December 1993
Florida League of Cities. Building Successful Advisory Boards, Florida League of Cities Quality
Circles Library: http://www.flcities.com/membership/library.asp – Series reprinted from Quality
Cities, March/April 2004
Institute for Youth, Education, and Families. Promoting Youth Participation. Action Kit for
Municipal Leaders, Issue #3.Washington, D.C.: National League of Cities, 2003
International City/County Management Association. “Citizen Advisory Boards and Committees,”
Chapter 3 in Elected Officials Handbooks: Handbook 2 Building A Policy-Making Team. 4th
edition. International City/County Management Association, 1994
Kitsap County, Washington. Kitsap County Boards and Commissions Handbook Kitsap County.
Compiled by Jan Koske. Port Orchard, WA: Kitsap County, Revised November 2004
Lake Forest Park, Washington. City of Lake Forest Park Commissioner’s Manual, Spring 2001
Lake Forest Park, Washington. City of Lake Forest Park Volunteer Advisory System Group
Report, submitted by Strategic Learning Resources, Inc., December 2007
Port Townsend, Washington. City of Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Revised March
4, 2002.
Sequim, Washington. City of Sequim Resolution No. R-2006-15, City Council Rules of
Procedure, Adopted December 4, 2006
Stephani, Carol and Marilyn. Citizen Advisory Boards: Making Them Effective. MIS Report vol.
19, no. 10. International City/County Management Association, October 1987.
Susman, Karen. 201 Secrets for Building Community Involvement. Denver: Karen Susman and
Associates Denver, CO, 2002
Tacoma, Washington. City of Tacoma Citizen Board, Committee, and Commission Volunteer
Survey, 2006
Tacoma, Washington. City of Tacoma Orientation Handbook for Citizen Committees, Boards,
Commissions, and Public Development Authorities, January 2008
Wood, Len. Elected Official’s Little Handbook: A Portable Guide for Local Government
Legislators. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA: The Training Shoppe, 1994
42 Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Statutorily Authorized, Mandatory and Discretionary Boards and Commissions . . . . . 1
Appendix 2 – Sample Application forms for Citizen Volunteer Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Appendix 3 – Sample Policies and Procedures for Boards and Commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Appendix 1
List of Local Government Advisory Boards and Commissions
Consult Statutes for Full Description and Requirements
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of City Town Statutorily Required Boards Under Certain Conditions
Building Code Board of
Appeals
RCW
19.27.031; ICC
Building Code
All cities, towns,
counties
The board of appeals shall be appointed by the governing body and shall hold office at
its pleasure. International Building Code, 2006 ed. Section 112 Board of Appeals
Civil Service for City
Firemen
Ch. 41.08 RCW
Fire department with
full paid fire fighters
Three persons; US citizen, resident for 3 years; and elector. RCW 41.08.030.
Civil Service for City
Police
Ch. 41.12 RCW
Police department
with three or more
full-time officers
Three persons; US citizen, resident for 3 years; and elector. RCW 41.12.030
Firemen's Relief and
Pensions 1947 Act
Ch. 41.16
A municipal
firefighters' pension
board is created in
each city and town
Five members, ex officio, the mayor, or in 1st class city, the mayor or elected official
representative, who shall be chairperson of the board, the city comptroller or clerk,
finance chairperson of the city council, or city treasurer, and two regularly employed or
retired firefighters elected by secret ballot. RCW 41.16.020
LEOFF Disability Board
Ch 41.26
Each city of 20,000
pop. or more shall
establish a disability
board. If less than
20,000 pop., county
disability board is
used
Five members: Two members from legislative body appointed by the mayor; one active
or retired fire fighter elected by the fire fighters; one active or retired law enforcement
officer elected by the law enforcement officers; and one member from the public at large
residing in the city appointed by the other four members. RCW 41.26.110 (1)(a)
Library Board of Trustees
RCW 27.12.190
Cities, towns,
counties with libraries
Five trustees appointed by the mayor with the consent of the legislative body. RCW
27.12.190
Local Emergency
Management/Services
Organization
RCW 38.52.070
Each county, city or
town
Each political subdivision must establish a local emergency management organization
by ordinance or resolution. Two or more political subdivisions may join together. WAC
118-30-040
Ch.118-30 WAC
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 1
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of City/Town Statutorily Required Boards Under Certain Conditions, continued
Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee
RCW
67.28.1817
Any city or town with
pop of 5000 or more
that has imposed the
hotel/motel (lodging)
tax
Five members appointed by the legislative body, unless a charter provides differently:
(a) At least two representatives of businesses required to collect tax (b) at least two
members involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received. The
number of representatives of businesses shall equal the number of members involved in
funded activities. One member shall be an elected official who is chair. An advisory
committee for a city or town may include one nonvoting member who is an elected
official of the county in which the city or town is located.
Local Improvement Board of Equalization –
Filling Lowlands
RCW 35.56.080
First and second
class cities
Number not specified. The city council or commission will sit as a board of equalization
to equalize said roll and to hear, consider and determine protests and objections against
the same.
Planning Commissions
Ch. 35.63 RCW
Mandatory when
planning under
Growth Management
Number not specified; not more than one-third of may be ex officio members RCW
35.63.030. In code cities, a “planning agency” can be a person, body, or organization
designated by the city legislative authority. RCW 35A.63.020, RCW 35A.63.010(8)
Every municipal
corporation
maintaining an
organized fire
department
The mayor, city clerk or comptroller, and one councilmember, the chief of the fire
department, and one member of the fire department to be elected by the members of
such fire department. Where a municipality is governed by a board, the chair, one
member of the board, and the secretary or clerk thereof shall serve as members of the
fire fighter board of trustees in lieu of the mayor, clerk or comptroller, and
councilmember. RCW 41.24.060
If relief provisions
extended to reserve
officers
Five members: (a) mayor, if one exists, and one member of the legislative authority, or
two members of the legislative authority, if no mayor, or their designees; (b) the clerk,
comptroller, or chief fiscal officer; (c) the head of the law enforcement agency; and (d)
one reserve officer who is elected by reserve officers. RCW 41.24.460 (2)
Ch.35A.63
RCW
Volunteer Fire fighter and
Reserve Officers Board of
Trustees – Fire Fighter
Board of Trustees
Ch. 41.24 RCW
Volunteer Fire fighter and
Reserve Officers Board of
Trustees – Reserve
Officers Board of Trustees
Ch. 41.24
RCW 41.24.060
RCW 41.24.460
(2)
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 2
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of City/Town Optional Boards and Commissions
Airport Board, Airport
Commission
Ch. 14.08 RCW
Board of Adjustment
RCW 35.63.080
RCW 14.08.120
RCW
35A.63.110
Any county, city,
town, airport district,
or port district
Authority can be vested by ordinance or resolution that prescribes the powers and
duties of the officer, board, or body...and the municipality may also vest authority for
industrial and commercial development in a municipal airport commission consisting of
at least five resident taxpayers to be appointed by the governing board of the
municipality by an ordinance or resolution. RCW 14.08.120
A city council may
appoint a board of
adjustment
Number not specified
Any city or town; or
code city
Number not specified. The legislative body may provide by ordinance for a cemetery
board to be appointed by the mayor, or the city commission, or by the city manager
RCW 68.52.045
Cemetery Board or
Commission
RCW 68.52.045
Community Renewal
Agency
RCW 35.81.050
City, town, county
Five members: municipal officials and elected officials, selected by the mayor, with
approval of the local governing body of the municipality, otherwise city legislative
authority exercises powers. RCW 35.81.050
Community Municipal
Corporation
Ch. 35.14 RCW
When territory is
annexed by a city or
town, or cities are
consolidated
Community council composed of five members; qualified electors.
Off Street Parking
Commission
Chapter 35.86A
RCW
First and second
class cities; by
ordinance
Five members appointed by the mayor, confirmed by the city council; One member
selected from persons actively engaged in the private parking industry, if available RCW
Ch. 35A.68
RCW
RCW 35.14.020
35.86A.050
Park commissioners
RCW 35.23.170
Councils of second
class cities and towns
may provide by
ordinance
Not to exceed seven in number, appointed by the mayor, with the consent of the city
council, from citizens of recognized fitness for such position
Parking and Business
Improvement Area
RCW
35.87A.110
Cities and towns
The legislative body may appoint existing advisory boards or commissions to make
recommendations as to its use, or the legislative authority may create a new advisory
board or commission for the purpose. Number not specified.
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 3
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of City/Town Optional Boards and Commissions, continued
Publicity Board
RCW 35.23.480
2nd class cities
Three members nominated by a commercial organization in city, then appointed by the
mayor, confirmed by at least a two-thirds vote of the city council; must be resident
property owners and voters in the city
Salary Commission
RCW 35.21.015
All cities and towns
Number not specified; appointed by mayor confirmed by council. May not include any
officer, official, or employee of city or town or any immediate family member.
Established by charter or ordinance. RCW 35.21.015
Tourist Promotion Areas
RCW
35.101.130
County greater than
40,000 but less than
one million, or any
city or town within the
county
Legislative authority may appoint existing advisory boards or commissions to make
recommendations as to its use, or the legislative authority may create a new advisory
board or commission for the [that] purpose. If no board or commission appointed, city or
town legislative authority has sole discretion as to how to use revenue.
Youth Agencies
RCW 35.21.630
Any city, town or
county can contract to
establish joint agency
Not specified. Purpose is to investigate, advise and act on, within the powers of that
municipality, problems relating to the youth of that community town, or county
List of County Statutorily Required Boards and Commission Under Certain Circumstances
RCW 36.70.200
RCW
36.200.210
If planning agency
created, a board of
adjustment shall also
be created by
ordinance
Five or seven members as may be provided by ordinance. RCW 36.70.210
Building Code Board of
Appeals
RCW
19.27.031;
International
Building Code,
2006 ed.
All cities, towns,
counties
The board of appeals shall be appointed by the governing body and shall hold office at
its pleasure. International Building Code, 2006 ed. Section 112 - Board Of Appeals
Civil Service for Sheriff's
Office
Ch 41.14 RCW
County or counties
combined pursuant to
RCW 41.14.040
Three persons; appointed by the board or boards of commissioners. Must be U.S.
citizen, resident of the county, or counties for at least two years immediately preceding
his appointment, and an elector of the county wherein he resides. RCW 41.14.030
Board of Adjustment
(Alternate is Hearing
Examiner System RCW
36.70.970)
RCW 41.14.030
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 4
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of County Statutorily Required Boards and Commission Under Certain Circumstances, Continued
Five, seven, nine, or eleven members. RCW 36.105.040
RCW
36.105.040
Unincorporated areas
in counties over
30,000, made up
entirely of islands;
Community Renewal
Agency
RCW 35.81.050
City, town, county
Alternative 2(a), board or commission composed of not less than five members, which
shall include municipal officials and elected officials, selected by the mayor, with
approval of the local governing body of the municipality; otherwise county legislative
authority exercises powers. RCW 35.81.050
County Board of
Equalization
Ch. 84.48 RCW
Each county
Three to seven members including alternates; appointed by a majority of the county
legislative authority, selection based upon the qualifications established by the
department of revenue, and shall not be a holder of any elective office nor be an
employee of any elected official: The county legislative authority may itself constitute the
board at its discretion.
Hospital Board of Trustees
Ch. 36.62 RCW
Any county, city and
county, or two or
more counties
Thirteen trustees appointed by county legislative authority, together with the additional
trustees required by RCW 36.62.130, if any, shall constitute a board of trustees for such
hospital. RCW 36.62.110
RCW 41.26.110
Each county shall
establish a disability
board
Five members: one member of legislative body appointed by the body; one member of a
city or town legislative body chosen by a majority of the mayors; one active or retired fire
fighter elected by the fire fighters; one (active) or retired law enforcement officer elected
by the law enforcement officers; and one member from the public at large, appointed by
the other four. In counties less than 60,000, the member appointed by a majority of the
mayors of the cities and towns does not have to be a legislative body member, but must
be a resident of one of the cities and towns. RCW 41.26.110(b)
Library Board of Trustees
RCW
27.12.190
Cities, towns, and
counties with libraries
In counties, five trustees shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners.
RCW 27.12.190
Local Emergency
Management/Services
Organization
RCW 38.52.070
Each county, city or
town
Each political subdivision must establish a local emergency management organization
by ordinance or resolution. Two or more political subdivisions may join together. WAC
118-30-040
Community Councils San Juan County
Ch 36.105 RCW
RCW 36.62.110
LEOFF Disability Board
Ch. 41.26 RCW
Ch.118-30 WAC
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 5
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of County Statutorily Required Boards and Commission Under Certain Circumstances, Continued
Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee
RCW
67.28.1817
Any county, city or
town that has
imposed the
hotel/motel (lodging)
tax and is 5000 or
more population.
At least five members appointed by the legislative body, unless a charter provides
differently: (a) At least two representatives of businesses required to collect tax (b) at
least two members involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received.
The number of representatives of businesses shall equal the number of members
involved in activities authorized to be funded. One member shall be an elected official
who shall serve as chair. An advisory committee for a county may include one
nonvoting member who is an elected official of a city or town is located
Planning Commission
RCW 36.70.030
Board of county
commissioners may
create a planning
commission.
(Alternate is the
creation of a planning
department
Five, seven, or nine members as may be provided by ordinance: Departments of a
county may be represented on the commission by the head of such departments, who
shall serve in an ex officio capacity, but such ex officio members shall not exceed one of
a five-member commission, two of a seven-member commission, or three of a ninemember commission. At no time shall there be more than three ex officio members
serving on a commission: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in lieu of one ex officio member,
only, one employee of the county other than a department head may be appointed to
serve as a member of the commission. RCW 36.70.070
RCW 36.70.070
Planning Commission to
Assist Planning
Department
RCW 36.70.040
Alternate to RCW
36.70.030. Planning
department and
planning commission
Number not specified. By ordinance a board of commissioners may, as an alternative to
and in lieu of the creation of a planning commission as provided in RCW 36.70.030,
create a planning department ...and shall also create a planning commission to assist
the department in carrying out its duties.
Veterans' Advisory Boards
Ch 70.08 RCW
Each county must
establish a veterans'
advisory board. RCW
73.08.035
The county legislative authority must solicit representatives from either local branches of
nationally recognized veterans' service organizations or the veterans' community at
large, or both, to serve on the board. No fewer than a majority of the board members
shall be members from nationally recognized veterans' service organizations and only
veterans are eligible to serve as board members. RCW 73.08.035(2)
Volunteer Fire fighter and
Reserve Officers Board of
Trustees – Reserve
Officers Board of Trustees
Ch. 41.24
If relief provisions
extended to reserve
officers
Five members: (a) Two members of the county legislative authority and the county
auditor, or their designees; (b) the sheriff; and (c) one reserve officer who is elected by
reserve officers of the county for an annual one-year term RCW 41.24.460 (1)
RCW 41.24.460
(1)
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 6
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of County Optional Boards and Commissions
Citizen’s Commission on
Salaries for Elected
Officials
RCW 36.17.024
Any county
Ten commissioners; 6 appointed by auditor from registered voters. In noncharter
counties, 2 selected from each district; remaining 4 members have specific
requirements and selection procedures by county executive or commissioners. Created
by resolution or ordinance.
County Park and
Recreation Board
Ch. 36.68 RCW
Each county
Each county may form a county park and recreation board composed of seven
members, who shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners to serve
without compensation. RCW 36.68.030
Tourist Promotion Areas
RCW
35.101.010(2)
Any county with a
pop. greater than
40,000 but less than
one million, or of any
city or town within
such a county
Number not specified. Legislative authority has sole discretion to determine how
revenue will be used to promote tourism, but it may appoint existing advisory boards or
commissions to make recommendations as to its use, or the legislative authority may
create a new advisory board or commission for the [that] purpose.
Any city, town, or
county; can contract
to establish joint
agency
Not specified Purpose is to investigate, advise and act on, within the powers of that
municipality, problems relating to the youth of that community town, or county
RCW 36.68.030
RCW
35.101.130
Youth Agencies
RCW 35.21.630
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 7
Board or Commission
RCW Citation
Conditions
Number of Commissioners/Boards; Qualifications
List of Special District Boards
Firemen’s Relief and
Pensions – 1955 Act –
Firemen’s Pension Board
Ch. 41.18 RCW
Each fire protection
district that qualifies
Five members: chairman of the district fire commissioners who will be chairman of the
board, county auditor, county treasurer, and two firefighters elected by secret ballot.
RCW 41.18.15 RCW
Volunteer Fire fighter and
Reserve Officers Board of
Trustees – Fire Fighter
Board of Trustees
Ch. 41.24 RCW
Every municipal
corporation
maintaining an
organized fire
department
The mayor, city clerk or comptroller, and one councilmember, the chief of the fire
department, and one member of the fire department to be elected by the members of
such fire department. Where a municipality is governed by a board, the chair, one
member of the board, and the secretary or clerk thereof shall serve as members of the
fire fighter board of trustees in lieu of the mayor, clerk or comptroller, and
councilmember. RCW 41.24.060
Volunteer Fire fighter and
Reserve Officers Board of
Trustees - Emergency
Medical Districts Board of
Trustees
Ch. 41.24 RCW
Any emergency
medical service
district or other
special district,
authorized by law to
protect life or property
within its boundaries
through a fire
department,
emergency workers,
or reserve officers not
covered by LEOFF
Emergency Medical Districts Board of Trustees - Two members of county legislative
authority or designees, county auditor or designee, head of emergency medical district,
and one emergency medical worker to be elected by emergency medical workers of the
district. RCW 41.24.330
Volunteer Fire fighter and
Reserve Officers Board of
Trustees – Reserve
Officers Board of Trustees
Ch. 41.24
If relief provisions
extended to reserve
officers (see above)
Five members: (a) The mayor, if one exists for the municipality, and one member of the
municipality's legislative authority, or two members of the municipality's legislative
authority if a mayor does not exist for the municipality, or their designees; (b) the clerk,
comptroller, or chief fiscal officer of the municipality; (c) the head of the law enforcement
agency; and (d) one reserve officer who is elected by reserve officers of the municipality
for an annual term of one year. RCW 41.24.460 (2)
RCW 41.24.060
RCW 41.24.330
RCW 41.24.460
(2)
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 8
Appendix 2
CITY OF SNOHOMISH
Founded 1859, Incorporated 1890
116 UNION AVENUE
SNOHOMISH, WASHINGTON 98290
TEL (360) 568-3115 FAX (360) 568-1375
APPLICATION FOR OPEN CITY BOARD OR COMMISSION POSITION
Application for: ____________________________________ Board/Commission
1.
Name:
2.
Address:
3.
Phone:
Home:
Cell:
Work:
e-mail:
Pager:
4.
City Resident?
(or) UGA
Resident?
Yes
Yes
No
_______
How Long? ______________
No ___________ How Long? ______________
5.
Please list any previous City appointments or offices
6.
Please list relevant employment or professional activities
7.
Other community affiliations or activities you feel would be a benefit to this position:
8.
Are you aware of the meeting schedule for this Board or Commission, and are you
available to attend regularly scheduled meetings?
Aware of schedule?: Yes
9.
No ___
Can attend?: Yes
No ___ Unsure ___
Why are you interested in serving on this City Board or Commission?
Board and Commission Vacancy Application
1
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 9
Snohomish
10.
What talents or experience would you bring to the position?
11.
What are your primary interests in City Government and City services?
12.
Please relate any special goals you may have for the City
13.
Any other comments or information you wish to provide for Mayor and Council
consideration:
_________________________________________
Signature
_________________________
Date
Thank you for your interest in serving as a volunteer Board or Commission member.
Appointments to City Council advisory Boards and Commissions are nominated by the Mayor
and confirmed by consent of the full City Council. If you are applying for a specific and
currently open position, you will be notified by the Mayor following the application deadline
whether you are being nominated.
If you are submitting an application to be considered in the future as openings occur, you will be
contacted by City staff when the vacancy is announced in order to confirm your interest in this
specific opportunity.
Board and Commission Position Vacancy Application
2
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 10
Appendix 2
Application Form
COMMITTEES/BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/AUTHORITIES
Return completed form to: Office of the Mayor, 747 Market Street, Room 1200, Tacoma, WA 98402-3766.
NOTE: All information on this form becomes public information, with the exception of the residential address and telephone numbers,
when submitted to the Appointments Committee.
I am interested in serving on the _________________________________________________________________________________
Name ____________________________________________________Phone ____________________________________________
(Home)
(Business)
Home address_______________________________________ Business address _________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________
Please indicate preferred mailing address with an asterisk (*)
Are you a City of Tacoma resident? _____________________
If yes, how long? ____________________________
Occupation __________________________________________________________________________________________________
(If retired, please indicate former occupation or profession)
Education ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Professional activities that relate to this position _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Community activities that relate to this position ______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
List any experience that would assist you in serving on this committee/board/commission/authority _____________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 11
Tacoma
COMMITTEES/BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/AUTHORITIES
PAGE 2
The City Council wants to avoid any potential conflict of interest or questions about the appearance of fairness in appointing citizens to commissions,
boards and committees. Therefore, we ask you to respond fully to the following:
Please list each organization with which you are involved, its mission and your position.
Board
Organization
Mission
Position
Do you or any of your family members work for or serve on the board of directors of any organization which has contracted with or applied for
funding from the City of Tacoma? Do you anticipate any future involvement of this kind in the future? If yes, please describe the relationship.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you related to any elected City official or staff member? If yes, please explain.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 12
Tacoma
COMMITTEES/BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/AUTHORITIES
PAGE 3
Are you involved in any personal, professional or business pursuit that would affect your ability to make fair and impartial recommendations/decisions
as a member of a City citizen advisory committee?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why are you interested in serving on this committee/board/commission/authority? __________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional information/references _________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How did you find out about the vacancy on this committee/board/commission/authority?______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It is the policy of the City of Tacoma to achieve a cultural and ethnic diversity on Committees/Boards/Commissions. Information in this
section will assist in achieving this goal, and is voluntary on your part.
Asian
Hispanic
White
African American
Native American
Other _________________
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 13
Appendix 2
City of Tukwila
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT
Type or print clearly and return completed form to: Office of the Mayor; 6200 Southcenter Blvd; Tukwila WA 98188
I wish to be considered for appointment to the following board or commission:
…
…
…
…
Arts Commission
Equity and Diversity Commission
Civil Service Commission
…
…
…
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Human Services Board
Library Advisory Board
Community-Oriented Policing Citizens Advisory Board (COPCAB)
…
…
…
…
Park Commission
Planning Commission
Sister City Committee
Other:
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
Zip Code: ______________________________
Night: ____________________________
Email: _________________________________
Phone, Day:
Please check all that apply to you within the Tukwila City limits:
…
School District Representative
Available to attend meetings:
…
…
Business Owner/Manager
Evenings
…
…
…
Resident
High School Student
Daytime
Present employer/occupation (if retired, please indicate former occupation): ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________Phone: ____________________________________
Occupational history/background: _____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Professional/community activities (orgs., clubs, service groups, etc.): _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hobbies/interests:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Qualifications related to this position: __________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have previously served on one of the above boards/commissions, please provide details:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe why you are interested in serving on this board/commission/committee: ________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature:______________________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Note: Upon submission, all information on this form becomes public record. For further clarification regarding this
application or more information regarding the boards or commissions, please call the Mayor's office at 206-433-1850.
Application for Appointment 6/20/03
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 14
Appendix 3
Excerpt from: Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2.8, Bothell, WA,
March 2007
2.08
Advisory Bodies
A. Appointments Made by the Council
Boards, commissions and citizen committees provide a great deal of assistance to the Bothell City
Council when formulating public policy and transforming policy decisions into action. The City has
several standing boards and commissions. In addition, special purpose committees and task forces are
often appointed by the City Council to address issues of interest or to conduct background work on
technical or politically sensitive issues. Special or ad hoc committees will be dissolved upon completion
of the intended task.
The procedures established in this manual reflect the policy of the City Council regarding the
appointment of volunteer citizens to the various advisory bodies of the City. The establishment of these
procedures ensures that well-qualified, responsible, and willing citizens are given the opportunity to serve
the City and participate in the governing of their community.
The City Council is specifically empowered to create all advisory boards and commissions
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 35A (Optional Municipal Code), or such advisory boards or
commissions not specifically enumerated, as the Council deems necessary or advisable. In the exercise of
this power, it is the desire of the City Council to establish a consistent policy in its decision-making role
to fairly and equitably evaluate those citizens of the community who demonstrate desire to serve on such
boards or commissions.
1. For full-term vacancies, the following filing period is established: first Wednesday of January
through second full week of February. The City Clerk will:
a. Publicly announce the position vacancy and filing period by publication of it in the
official newspaper of the City of Bothell.
b. Post notices of the position vacancy and filing period in the three public places
established in Section 8.02(B) of this manual.
c. Notify by mail all residents of the community not currently a member of an advisory
board or commission who have indicated interest in serving on a City board or
commission.
d. Notify by mail the Chairpersons of advisory boards and commissions of the vacancy.
e. Notify by mail the incumbents of advisory boards and commissions whose terms are
expiring of such term expiration and inviting incumbent to consider reapplying.
2. For partial-term vacancies, a minimum 30-day filing period applies, with dates to be
determined by the City Clerk. Partial-term vacancies will be filled as outlined in Section
2.08(A)(1a-d), above.
B. Qualifications, Terms of Service, Forms
Persons wishing to be considered for appointment or reappointment will submit to the City
Clerk’s Office an application on a form provided by that office. The Council will review applications and
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 15
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2.8
make appointments.
Inasmuch as the qualifications and terms of service for each advisory body set forth in the Bothell
Municipal Code may differ from each other, a membership and qualification matrix is appended to this
document for Council reference. It is the policy of the City Council to evaluate each applicant on an
objective basis, utilizing the following criteria:
1. Residency - Residency requirements for advisory boards and commissions are noted in
applicable sections of the Bothell Municipal Code, and summarized on the Membership and
Qualification Matrix appended hereto.
2. Sectional Composition - Normally, consideration should be given toward maintaining an
equitable balance of community representation on all boards and commissions.
The City Council will not appoint multiple members from the same family or household to a
single board or commission, in order to avoid the reality or appearance of improper influence
or favor.
The City Council will not appoint members of Council Members’ families or households to
boards or commissions to avoid the appearance of favor and to increase community
representation.
3. Occupation - The Council will attempt to maintain a broad mix of occupational backgrounds
on all boards and commissions.
4. Knowledge of Municipal and Planning Process - When ranking equally qualified applicants,
the Council will consider background experience and knowledge of the municipal process as
appropriate to the position, in reaching its decisions.
5. Contributive Potential - The Council will evaluate the potential contribution that each
applicant may make if appointed to a board or commission. Criteria to guide the Council in
its evaluation may include:
a. Ability to communicate
b. Desire to perform public service
c. Ability to express ideas, concepts, or philosophies
d. Desire to participate in decision-making process
6
Leadership Potential - Since each appointee may be called upon to serve as a Chair, the
Council will evaluate leadership abilities, such as:
a.
b.
c.
7
Past or present leadership experience (current employment, special interests, etc.)
Past or present participation in community services
Expressed interest in a leadership role
The City Council will not appoint persons to serve as members of more than one board or
commission at the same time; however, persons serving on a board or commission who have
requested appointment to another board or commission position may be appointed to such
position if they, concurrent with the appointment, resign from the board or commission
position they are holding at the time of the new appointment.
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 16
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2.8
C. Reappointment Criteria
At such time as reappointment is considered, the Council will be guided by the following
performance criteria:
1. Regularity of Attendance
2. Understanding of board or commission function Demonstrated leadership
3. Effectiveness
4. Demonstrated contribution during past term of office on issues, programs, policies, etc., of
the advisory board or commission
5. Objectivity
D. Council Action
1. Council Interview Period - It shall be the privilege of the Council to personally interview
each applicant individually, at a time and place to be designated by the Council.
However, the Council reserves the right to make appointments after reviewing applications
and without conducting interviews. Prior to making selections pursuant to subsection 2
below, the Council further reserves the right to reduce the number of applicants by using a
procedure chosen by a majority of Council without conducting interviews.
2. Council Evaluation & Selection - After each applicant or member is evaluated, the Council
will deliberate and reach a decision at its earliest convenience, using the following procedure.
Council Members will cast their votes using a written ballot to be provided by the City
Clerk’s Office. Each ballot will contain an alphabetical-by-last-name list of all applicants
(primary and alternate interest) for that particular advisory body, and Council Members will
cast the same number of votes as there are vacancies.
For example, a ballot for the Parks & Recreation Board contains the names of all nine of the
applicants who expressed either primary or alternate interest in serving on the Parks &
Recreation Board. If there are only four vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Board, each
Council Member would cast four votes on the Parks & Recreation Board ballot.
After all votes are cast, staff will collect the ballots, tally the votes, and assign position
numbers to the applicants who receive a majority of votes of Council Members voting.
Following this tallying, the results of the voting and position numbers will be announced to
the Council for subsequent action to ratify the results of the voting.
All written ballots used to select board and commission members will be retained with the
agenda packet for that Council meeting.
3. Decision & Announcement - Each applicant will be notified by mail of the decision of the
Council. The City Clerk will also notify the Chair of the affected board or commission of its
decision.
E. Resignations
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 17
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2.8
In the interest of timely noticing of vacancies, and to minimize the impact of such vacancies on
boards and commissions, the City Council delegates to the Mayor the authority to accept resignations.
Following the Mayor’s acceptance of the resignation, the City Clerk is authorized to advertise such
vacancies according to the process set forth in Section 2.08(A).
F. Representation by Council Members
The City Council is often requested to appoint Council Members to serve on outside boards,
councils, commissions, or committees. This type of representation serves to facilitate communication and
provide interaction with other governmental bodies. The City Council appoints members to some of
these groups on an as-needed or as-requested basis.
Membership appointment to these groups shall be made by consensus of the Council. If more
than one Council Member desires to serve as a member of a particular outside group, the member for that
group will be appointed by a majority vote of the Council.
Where applicable, Council will appoint an alternate to attend outside boards, councils,
commissions, or committees, if the main delegate to such group is unable to attend a meeting of the
group. If after hours, the main delegate will notify the alternate as soon as possible after the main delegate
realizes they will be unable to attend an upcoming meeting of the outside group. If during regular
business hours, the main delegate will notify the City Clerk. The City Clerk will immediately attempt to
notify the alternate of the need for their attendance at the outside group meeting.
Council Members participating in policy discussions at regional meetings will represent the
consensus of the Council, except where regional appointment requires regional opinion. Personal
positions, when given, will be identified and not represented as the position of the City. Assignment and
direction of staff in relation to regional meetings are at the discretion of the City Manager.
G. Rules of Conduct
By accepting appointment to any City board or commission, members thereby agree to conduct
themselves in accordance with the following rules of conduct.
1. All members of City boards and commissions will abide by all applicable state laws, City
ordinances, and other doctrines relating to the conduct of board or commission members,
including, but not limited to, the Appearance of Fairness Doctrine, conflict of interest
statutes, and the State Open Public Meetings Act.
2. Members of City boards and commissions will not testify in their capacity as a board or
commission member, before any other board, commission, administrative officer or agency
of the federal government, the State of Washington, or of any county or other municipal
corporation, including cities and towns, except as hereinafter provided. Exceptions to the
policy set forth above shall be as follows:
a. If the member is testifying in such a capacity pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena;
or
b. In the event the board or commission has designated the member or members to act
as a spokesperson for the board or commission to explain the majority vote and
recommendation of that board or commission; or
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 18
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2.8
c. In the event the City Council appoints the member or members to represent the City
before another tribunal.
3
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein is intended to preclude a board
or commission member from speaking as an individual citizen, so long as the following
conditions are met:
a. The individual clearly identifies that he/she is speaking only as an individual citizen
and is not in any manner representing or speaking on behalf of the board or
commission of which he/she is a member; and
b. No board or commission member testifies orally or in writing as to any quasi-judicial
matter being heard, or having the possibility of being heard, by the board or
commission of which the person is a member.
H. Council Members’ Role and Relationship with City Advisory Bodies
1. In accordance with the provisions of state law, Council Members shall not be appointed to
City advisory bodies concurrent with their term of office as Council Member.
2. Unless specifically authorized by majority vote of a quorum of the Council, no Council
Member shall be authorized to state or testify to the policy or position of the Council before
any advisory board or commission of the City.
3. Limitations on the conduct of Council Members before the City’s advisory boards and
commissions should be voluntarily undertaken in order to assure public confidence in the
decision-making process and avoid the appearance of bias, prejudice, or improper influence.
Toward this purpose, the following protocol should be observed:
a. Council Members shall not testify in quasi-judicial matters pending before any
advisory board or commission that will receive, or could potentially receive, future
appeal or review before the City Council. Violation of this protocol may require the
Council Member to disqualify him- or herself from participating in any appeal or
review proceedings before the City Council.
b. Council Members, in their capacity as private citizens, should refrain from providing
testimony in legislative or administrative matters pending before any advisory board
that will receive, or could potentially receive, future review or other action before the
Council. Where a Council Member elects to provide such testimony, the following
rules shall apply:
(i)
The Council Member shall declare at the outset and upon the record that
the Council Member is present in his or her private capacity as an
interested citizen, and not on behalf or at the request of the City Council.
(ii)
The Council Member shall refrain from stating or implying that the
Council Member’s position or opinion is that of the City Council.
(iii)
The Council Member shall refrain from directing City staff or the
advisory body to take any action on behalf of the Council Member.
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 19
Bothell City Council Protocol Manual, Section 2.8
(iv)
The Council Member shall observe any rules of procedure or protocol
that apply to any other private citizen testifying before the advisory board.
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 20
Appendix 3
Excerpt from: City of Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Article
4, Port Townsend, WA, Revised March 4, 2002
ARTICLE 4 - COMMITTEES, BOARDS, WORK GROUPS & COMMISSIONS
4.1
4.2
Committees. The City of Port Townsend is a Council / Manager form of government
which has adopted a committee structure applicable to the normal Council-Manager
system. Port Townsend is consistently working to improve the way the public relates to
the City Council and how the Council reaches out to and encourages citizen involvement.
The procedures governing all committees of the Council, and all boards, liaisons, blue
ribbon work groups and citizen’s taskforce groups established by the Council or
involving a Councilmember, shall be as follows:
(a)
All standing committees shall be established or provided by Council resolution.
See Exhibit E for current standing committees. [Note: these committees are
subject to change. No committees are required by state law.]
(b)
All other Council committees, boards, liaisons, blue ribbon work groups and
citizen’s taskforce groups and rules or operating procedures thereof shall be
established by Council directive with special attention to RCW 35A.13.120, and
rules provided in Section 4.2, and after consultation with the City Manager. Such
committees shall be subject to periodic review so as to determine whether the
committee and its function continues to be appropriate and necessary.
(c)
Committees, boards, liaisons, work groups and citizen’s taskforce groups shall
make a recommendation, when appropriate, on proposed ordinances, resolutions
and motions within their area of responsibility or interest, before action is taken
by the Council. The appropriate spokesperson shall present the
recommendation(s) which could lead to final action during the discussion of the
business item on Council agenda.
(d)
Appointments shall be made by the Presiding Officer subject to Council
confirmation.
General Rules Applicable to Citizen Advisory Boards
SECTION 4.2.1
Definitions
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 21
Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Article 4
An “Advisory Board” means any Committee or Commission created by the City Council to give
advice on subjects and perform such other functions as prescribed by the City Council. Advisory
Board also includes task forces, informal committees, or working groups formed by City Council
resolution for short periods of time or for specific tasks.
SECTION 4.2.2
Purpose and Application
The purpose of this section is to establish general provisions applicable to all Advisory Boards.
The provisions of this resolution govern Advisory Boards unless otherwise specifically provided
by ordinance, motion or resolution of the City Council, or as may be required by state law. In
establishing an Advisory Board, the Council shall consider the following:
1.
Scope of work, and clear task description
2.
Term of board – sunset provision
3.
Membership, nomination and confirmation process, and residency or other special
member requirements
4.
Terms of office
5.
Place of board within City or Council structure – who does Board report to?
6.
Council member liaison (if any)
7.
Time frames for board action on tasks
8.
Time frames for Council or Committee action; for example, periodic review or
interim reports
9.
Staffing (if any) for board, and which City Department bears any staffing
responsibility or expense for Board
10.
Any other matters appropriate to the Board’s work
SECTION 4.2.3
Scope of Work
A.
Each Advisory Board, when it is formed, will have a specific statement of
purpose and function, which will be re-examined periodically by the City Council
to determine its effectiveness. This statement of purpose, as well as other
information regarding duties and responsibilities, will be made available to all
members when appointed.
B.
The City Council may determine any specific guidelines or tasks to be referred to
the Advisory Board by motion or resolution.
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 22
Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Article 4
C.
Each Advisory Board shall develop a scope of work, within the jurisdiction and
area of responsibility consistent with the City Council resolution forming the
Board.
SECTION 4.2.4
Membership, Nomination and Confirmation Process, and
Residency Requirements
The number of members and any specific qualifications of each Advisory Board shall be set
forth by resolution of the City Council.
Unless otherwise specifically provided by applicable resolution or motion, or as may be required
by state law, the following procedures and requirements shall apply to all members of each
Advisory Board:
A.
Each person at the time of nomination and continuing uninterrupted thereafter
while serving on an Advisory Board, shall be a resident of and/or work in the City of Port
Townsend.
B.
Each person to be appointed shall be nominated by the Mayor for a specific
numbered position on each Advisory Board.
C.
Each person shall be deemed appointed and shall commence service after
confirmation by the City Council or on the effective date of the previous member’s
resignation, or on the expiration of the existing term for the position, as applicable.
D.
Each confirmation motion by the Council shall include ending date and term for
the position to which the person is appointed and such information shall be entered into
the Council minutes.
E.
At the expiration of a member’s term, the member may hold over and continue to
serve as a member until the member or a successor is appointed and confirmed by the
Council.
SECTION 4.2.5
Officers - Identification and Election
Each Advisory Board shall elect from its membership a presiding officer who shall be referred to
as chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, as determined appropriate by the Advisory Board, and
such officer shall serve for one year, or until the Board discontinues its operation, whichever is
shorter. The Advisory Board may elect other officers as it deems necessary and such officers
shall be set forth in the rules of procedure adopted by the Advisory Board.
SECTION 4.2.6
Quorums, Transacting Business
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 23
Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Article 4
A majority of the appointed members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business. An affirmative vote of the majority of a quorum in attendance at any
meeting shall be necessary to transact business or carry any proposition.
SECTION 4.2.7
Terms of Office and Vacancies
Appointments to boards shall be provided for in the resolution establishing or providing for a
board. Vacancies shall be filled by the City Council, upon nomination from the Mayor, for the
unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. Membership vacancies other
than through expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Any member may be
removed by Council action based on Council decision that removal is in the best interests of the
City. Removal should not occur for disagreement with an official recommendation of the board
or its members.
SECTION 4.2.8
Conflicts of Interest
If any members of an Advisory Board conclude that they have a conflict of interest or an
appearance of fairness problem with respect to a matter pending before the Advisory Board so
that they cannot discharge their duties on such an Advisory Board, they shall disqualify
themselves from participating in the deliberations and the decision-making process with respect
to the matter.
SECTION 4.2.9
Liaisons and Representatives
A City Council representative may be available to each Advisory Board for the purpose of
providing a constructive relationship between the City Council and the Advisory Board without
implying direction, review, or oversight of the activities of the Advisory Board.
SECTION 4.2.10
Procedures, Records, and Minutes
Rules of order not specified by statute, ordinance or Council resolution shall be governed by The
Scott, Foresman Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised – 10th Edition (published by Scott,
Foresman and Company), as the same may be amended or updated. The Advisory Board may
adopt supplemental rules of procedure. The Advisory Board shall provide for the taking of
minutes and maintaining the records of all regular and special meetings. Any Advisory Board
may establish standing or ad hoc committees comprised of Board members to assist in
accomplishing its duties and responsibilities. Committee minutes shall be filed with the City
Clerk's office within 10 days of approval.
SECTION 4.2.11
Meetings
Each Advisory Board shall hold regular public meetings at such times and places as is deemed
advisable or as provided for in the resolution establishing the board. All meetings of the entire
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 24
Port Townsend Council Rules of Procedure, Article 4
body and of any subcommittee or task force of the Advisory Board shall be subject to all
requirements of the Washington Open Public Meetings Act, and shall be open to the public, and
shall be held at a public place at a regularly scheduled time, or at a special meeting time
following notice as set by the City Manager. Notice of all meetings shall be provided to the
Clerk's office for publication. No meeting shall be scheduled without at least 48 hours notice to
the Clerk's office unless special arrangements are otherwise made with the City Clerk or City
Manager.
SECTION 4.2.12
Communications to City Council Expressions of an Advisory
Board's position, recommendation or request for any action shall be in the form of a resolution,
motion, or other written communication, setting forth the reasons, facts, policies, and/or findings
of the body supporting the communication, and shall be directed to the City Council and
Manager.
Communications from such boards, commissions and bodies to the City Council shall be
acknowledged by the Presiding Officer, who shall state: "So noted for the record", and thereafter
the City Clerk shall make an appropriate notation in the minutes. Should any member of the
Council determine that any such communication be officially answered by the Council, the
Presiding Officer shall place the matter on the agenda under New Business for the current
meeting or any subsequent meeting.
SECTION 4.2.13
Compensation and Reimbursement of Expenses
Members of Advisory Boards shall serve without compensation. Members shall be reimbursed
for authorized travel expenses incidental to that service, which are authorized by the City
Manager or by City Council resolution or motion. Members should seek pre-authorization for
any proposed expense.
SECTION 4.2.14
Lobbying Efforts
Lobbying efforts by any Advisory Board on legislative or political matters should first be
checked for consistency with existing City policy by contacting the City Manager's office. In the
event a position is taken that differs from that of the City's policy, an Advisory Board cannot
represent that position publicly or before another body, for example, the State Legislature or the
Board of County Commissioners. An Advisory Body is free to communicate positions to the
Council or a Council Committee on matters pertaining to the Body’s purpose and function. A
member of the Advisory Board is not authorized to speak for the Board, unless the Board has
expressly authorized the member’s communication. An individual member is free to voice a
position, oral or written, on any issue as long as it is made clear that the member is not speaking
as a representative of the City, or as a member of an Advisory Board.
End of Article 4 - Committees, Boards, Work Groups & Commissions
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 25
Appendix 3
Excerpt from: Puyallup City Council Rules of Procedure, Section 8,
Puyallup, WA, Amended August 2003
SECTION 8
8.1
City Advisory Committees
Puyallup’s commissions, committees and task forces provide an invaluable service to
the City. Their advice on a wide variety of subjects aids the Mayor and Council
members in the decision-making process. Effective citizen participation is an
invaluable tool for local government. These advisory bodies originate from different
sources. Some are established by ordinance while others are established by resolution
or motion of the City Council. It is at the discretion of the Council as to whether or not
any advisory body should be established, other than those required by State law.
Puyallup advisory bodies bring together citizen viewpoints which might not otherwise
be heard, Persons of wide-ranging interests who want to participate in public service
but not compete for public office can be involved in governmental commissions,
committees and task forces.
The following policies govern the City's advisory groups; some of these advisory
groups may have more specific guidelines set forth by ordinance or resolution, or at
times by State law.
8.2
No committee board or commission shall have official or legal status until such
committee or board or commission has first been approved by resolution or ordinance
of the City Council.
8.3
Every advisory body will have a specific statement of purpose and function, which
will be re-examined periodically by the City Council to determine its effectiveness.
No board or committee shall have powers other than advisory to the City Council or
City Manager except as specified by the Puyallup Municipal Code.
8.4
Any committee, board, or commission created by ordinance or resolution of the City
Council, shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of the special purpose for
which it was created, or when abolished by majority vote of the Council.
8.5
An Appointments Committee composed of the newly elected Mayor and two members
of Council shall be designated at the first regularly scheduled meeting in January
following a City Council election. The term of service on the Appointments
Committee shall be two years. Meetings of this Committee will be convened on an ad
hoc, or as needed, basis.
The City Clerk shall inform the Appointments Committee of pending vacancies on
boards and commissions and shall schedule meetings as necessary for the Committee
to consider applications for appointment. Committee recommendations on
appointments shall be submitted to the full Council for approval.
8.6
Vacancies for citizen boards and commissions shall be advertised in the City's official
newspaper so that any interested citizen may submit an application. App1icants are urged
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 26
Puyallup City Council Rules of Procedure, Section 8
to be citizens of the City of Puyallup, but applications from residents living outside of the
corporate boundaries also receive consideration under certain circumstances. Council
members are encouraged to solicit applications from qualified citizens. Applications shall
be available from the Office of the City Clerk.
8.7
Applications of citizens not recommended for appointment to an advisory body will be
filed in the Office of the City Clerk for reconsideration whenever a position becomes
available consistent with the applicant's qualifications or interests.
8.8
Lengths of terms vary from one advisory body to another, but in all cases overlapping
terms intended, unless otherwise provided by State law. On special work task forces,
where a specific project is the purpose, there need not be terms of office.
8.9
Newly-appointed members will receive a briefing by the commission, committee or task
force chairperson and/or City staff; regarding duties and responsibilities of the members
of the advisory body,
8.10
All advisory bodies will be responsible for adopting their operating policies consistent
with the establishing resolution or ordinance.
8.11
All meetings of advisory bodies are open to the public in accordance with the public
meeting laws of the State of Washington which require a minimum 24-hour advance
notice; no advisory committee will schedule a meeting earlier than 7:00 a.m.
8.12
Excessive absenteeism, excluding illness or required travel, is cause for the removal of
an advisory body member. Three consecutive absences will be considered resignation
from the body unless prior to the third absence, the member has requested, and been
granted, an excused absence. The advisory body granting the excused absence will
determine the validity of the request.
8.13
Members may resign at any time their personal circumstances change to prevent
effective service.
8.14
Members may be removed, from any advisory committee, prior to the expiration of their
term of office, by a majority vote of the City Council.
8.15
A quorum for conducting business is a simple majority of the membership of the
advisory body.
8.16
All members of advisory bodies should be aware of the need to avoid any instance of
conflict of interest. No individual should use an official position to gain a personal
advantage.
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 27
Appendix 3
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 28
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 29
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 30
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 31
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 32
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 33
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 34
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 35
Appendix Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards 36